CM Vishnu Deo Sai Presents Chhattisgarh’s Community-Driven Water Conservation Model at National Forum in Presence of PM Narendra Modi
Farmers’ Unique Initiative of Setting Aside 5% of Agricultural Land for Water Conservation Becomes a Model
More Than 28 Lakh Water Conservation Structures Constructed and Registered Across the State Under Three Phases of Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari
Surajpur, Mahasamund, Balod, Baloda Bazar-Bhatapara and Kabirdham Among India’s Top 10 Districts
CM Sai Suggests ‘Catch the Rain’ Plan for Every State, State Water Awards and Quarterly Reviews
Raipur, Sept 2026: Chhattisgarh has presented an effective community-driven model for conserving every drop of rainwater and replenishing groundwater for future generations. The state has secured the first position in the country in the third phase of the Ministry of Jal Shakti’s ‘Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari’ campaign. Five districts of Chhattisgarh have also secured places among the top 10 districts in the country for water conservation.
At a departmental summit organised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in New Delhi in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai presented Chhattisgarh’s innovations and community-led initiatives for water conservation on the national platform. During the ‘Catch the Rain’ session, Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao provided details of the state’s efforts in rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and conservation of drinking water sources.
Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil, along with Water Resources Ministers and senior officials from various states, attended the summit.
Water Conservation Turned into a People’s Movement: CM Sai
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said Chhattisgarh has not limited water conservation to government schemes and construction of water structures. Farmers, gram panchayats, Jal Sakhis, Jal Mitras and local communities have been brought into the initiative, transforming it into a broad-based people’s movement.
Sai said he comes from a farming family and has himself worked in the fields in his native village, Bagiya. He has therefore witnessed and understood the importance of water in agriculture and rural life at close quarters. For a farmer, water is not merely a natural resource but is directly linked to crops, family, livelihood and the future.
This is why farmers and villages have been placed at the centre of Chhattisgarh’s water conservation initiatives, he said.
The Chief Minister pointed out that although Chhattisgarh accounts for around four per cent of the country’s total geographical area, it has consistently performed exceptionally well under the ‘Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari’ campaign. He said the achievement was not merely about the number of water structures created, but also reflected the growing collective awareness and public participation in water conservation across the state.
‘5 Per Cent Model’ Emerges from Korea, Farmers Voluntarily Provide Land
CM Sai made a special mention of the ‘5 per cent model’ launched in Korea district, describing it as an innovative example of voluntary participation by farmers in water conservation.
Under the initiative, farmers are voluntarily making around five per cent of their agricultural land available for groundwater recharge and rainwater harvesting. Water conservation structures are being developed on these portions of land so that rainwater does not simply flow away from the fields but is collected locally and gradually absorbed into the ground.
The distinctive feature of the model is that farmers are not merely beneficiaries of water conservation efforts but active participants. Farmers provide land, panchayats and local communities extend their support, and water structures are developed through coordination among various departments and government schemes.
Geo-tagging of water structures, regular monitoring and periodic review of progress have also been made important components of the campaign. Jal Sakhis, Jal Mitras, farmers and panchayat representatives are helping take the water conservation initiative forward in villages.
Retaining rainwater within farms is expected to promote groundwater recharge and improve water availability for irrigation. In the long term, the initiative could also help reduce dependence on rainfall for agriculture and strengthen water security.
Chhattisgarh Ranks First in JSJB 3.0
Chhattisgarh has recorded significant performance across all three phases of the Ministry of Jal Shakti’s ‘Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari’ campaign. After securing second position nationally in the first two phases, the state has now achieved the first position in the country in the third phase, JSJB 3.0.
During the first phase, JSJB 1.0, a total of 4,05,561 water structures were constructed in Chhattisgarh, with the state securing second position nationally.
Under JSJB 2.0, 24,07,456 water structures were registered across the state. Of these, work on 23,07,768 structures has been completed. Chhattisgarh again secured second position nationally during this phase.
In the third phase, JSJB 3.0, Chhattisgarh has secured the first position in the country. A total of 79,775 water structures have been registered in the state, of which work on 77,719 structures has been completed.
Thus, across the different phases of the campaign, Chhattisgarh has developed and registered a large number of structures for rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge. The central objective is to prevent rainwater from flowing away, conserve it locally and facilitate maximum groundwater recharge.
Five Chhattisgarh Districts Among Country’s Top 10
Along with the state-level achievement, districts of Chhattisgarh have also established a strong presence at the national level. Surajpur, Mahasamund, Balod, Baloda Bazar-Bhatapara and Kabirdham have been included among the country’s top 10 districts in water conservation.
In these districts, rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge works have been undertaken at the village and panchayat levels by involving local communities. Special emphasis has been placed on people’s participation along with construction of water structures according to local conditions and requirements.
CM Sai said the achievement demonstrates that when government schemes are combined with active participation from society, even a major objective such as water conservation can be transformed into a people’s movement.
Water-Scarcity Blocks Decline from 26 to 19
The water conservation efforts being undertaken in the state are also producing positive results. The number of water-scarce blocks in Chhattisgarh has declined from 26 to 19. In addition, five critical blocks are expected to move into the normal category.
To improve groundwater conditions, the state is focusing not only on constructing water harvesting structures but also on conserving traditional water sources, groundwater recharge, mapping of water structures and regular monitoring at the local level.
Chhattisgarh Implements ‘Catch the Rain, Where It Falls’
Chhattisgarh has adapted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message of ‘Catch the Rain – Where It Falls’ to its local conditions and implemented it on the ground. Considering the state’s geographical diversity, water harvesting and groundwater recharge structures are being developed in different regions according to local requirements and water availability.
The state is working to ensure that maximum rainwater is retained within villages and farms. This will not only promote groundwater recharge but also help improve water availability for irrigation, drinking and other local requirements.
CM Sai said Chhattisgarh is ready to share its experiences, innovations and successful models in water conservation with other states.
Every State Should Have Its Own ‘Catch the Rain’ Plan: CM Sai
During the summit, CM Sai offered several suggestions to make the national water conservation campaign more effective.
He suggested that every state should prepare its own ‘Catch the Rain Plan’ based on its geographical conditions, rainfall patterns, groundwater status and local requirements. This would help establish clear state-specific targets and strategies for water conservation.
He also suggested introducing ‘State Water Awards’ to encourage states that perform well in water conservation. Sai recommended strengthening the system for mapping water structures through BISAG-N and conducting a review of the campaign’s progress every three months under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary.
The Chief Minister said that combining technology, regular monitoring and public participation could make water conservation efforts more effective and result-oriented.
Water Conservation to Strengthen Agriculture and Rural Economy
A national target has been set to construct two crore new water structures by May 31, 2027. Chhattisgarh’s community-driven model could play an important role in achieving this ambitious national target.
Retaining rainwater in farms and villages and facilitating its absorption into the ground can improve groundwater levels and increase the availability of water for irrigation. This can directly benefit agriculture and help reduce farmers’ dependence on the monsoon.
Improved water availability can also strengthen agriculture and related livelihood opportunities. Better availability of drinking water sources in villages can reduce the time and effort spent by families, particularly women, in fetching water.
Chhattisgarh’s model demonstrates that water conservation is not merely about constructing physical structures. It is a shared responsibility of the government, farmers, panchayats and society. An initiative that begins with leaving a small portion of agricultural land for water conservation can become the foundation of a much larger campaign to secure water for future generations.
Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Subodh Kumar Singh, Water Resources Department Secretary Rajesh Sukumar Toppo and senior officials from the concerned departments were present at the summit.
