Haryana Achieves Second Place Nationally in Jal Shakti Abhiyan Implementation,  Chief Secretary

Chandigarh – Haryana Chief Secretary, Sh. TVSN Prasad while presiding  over a review meeting of ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain-2024’ with the Deputy Commissioners via video conferencing here today shared that the state has secured the second position nationwide in the implementation of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan-2023, led by the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti.

 In the meeting, it was shared  that over 65,000 rainwater conservation structures have been constructed across the state under the ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain’ initiative to promote groundwater recharge. Additionally, 18,104 reservoirs have been geo-tagged. Among these, 852 reservoirs have been renovated, and 1,152 reservoirs are currently undergoing restoration. The campaign has also led to the construction of over 40,000 reuse and recharge structures, 10,000 watershed development structures, and the planting of more than 3.5 crore trees.

The Chief Secretary further shared that approximately 70,000 training programs and farmers’ fairs have been organized to raise awareness about water conservation among farmers and the general public. Furthermore, water resource centers have been established in all districts, and district-specific water conservation plans have been developed to promote sustainable water management.

The results of ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain’ have been highly impressive. Due to this campaign, the water level increased by approximately 1.3 meters in 12 districts in 2023, by 0.58 meters in 19 districts in 2022, and by 0.57 meters in 7 districts in 2021, shared  Sh. TVSN Prasad. 

The Chief Secretary said that priority should be given to the scientific afforestation in the spring shed areas of the ten designated districts: Jind, Fatehabad, Sirsa, Kurukshetra, Panipat, Mahendragarh, Rewari, Kaithal, Gurugram, and Faridabad. He directed the officers concerned for the establishment of rainwater harvesting systems on government buildings and forest lands and the improvement of water sources wherever technically feasible.

The Chief Secretary further shared that the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, through ‘Mera Yuva Bharat’ volunteers, will focus on awareness campaigns, and the Department of Forests and Wildlife and Environment will concentrate on water conservation.

He said that the School Education Department would promote the Jal-Doot campaign among students, while the Rural Development Department will involve self-help groups in water conservation efforts and enhance their capacity. Besides this, it will encourage water budgeting at the village level and coordinate with panchayats, water user associations, and self-help groups, directed by the Chief Secretary.

Sh. TVSN Prasad called for a unified effort from all departments and officers to foster a competitive spirit among districts to ensure the success of ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain-2024’ and to enhance its implementation. He directed  the Administrative Secretaries and Department Heads to appoint senior officers as nodal officers for effective coordination and cooperation with the Department of Irrigation and Water Resources for the successful execution of Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain-2024. He also directed the Deputy Commissioners to update the work done on the JSA portal promptly.

The Chief Secretary directed that the  Urban Local Bodies Department will promote women’s role in urban water management through ‘Amrit Mitra’ and organize IEC and awareness campaigns involving women and youth.

        He further directed the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare to organize ‘Kirshi Melas’ through Krishi Vigyan Kendras and promote water-efficient crops like millets and train farmer producer organizations on water-saving practices. The department will also promote micro-irrigation systems through the Drop More Crop program. Focusing on this year’s theme, ‘Nari Shakti se Jal Shakti’,  he directed the concerned departments and Deputy Commissioners to spread extensive awareness on the subject of women’s empowerment in water conservation.

The Chief Secretary emphasized the need for collective efforts to achieve the campaign’s objectives and ensure the long-term sustainability of Haryana’s water resources.

Chairperson, The Haryana Water Resources (Conservation, Regulation and Management) Authority, Smt. Keshni Anand Arora also discussed this important agenda in detail with the Deputy Commissioners. She urged the preparation of the District Water Resources Plan (DWRP) for the financial year 2025-28 by September 2024. Besides this, she shared the remarkable progress made by districts in implementing the Integrated Water Resources Action Plan (IWRAP) for the financial years 2023-25.