August 2026 : The Maharashtra government will organise “Maha Walkathon – Walk for Water” across all districts of the state on August 21, 2026, to mark Water Conservation Day and promote public awareness about soil and water conservation.
Organised by the Department of Soil and Water Conservation, the initiative carries the theme “Save Soil, Save Water, Secure Tomorrow” and the slogan “Stop Water, Let Water Percolate, Build a Water-Rich Maharashtra.” The programme will involve a walk of up to three kilometres, followed by a pledge on soil and water conservation.
The government is organising a “Water Conservation Week” from August 15 to 21, 2026, followed by a “Water Conservation Campaign” from August 15, 2026, to January 26, 2027. The objective is to transform water conservation into a mass movement.
Maharashtra Soil and Water Conservation Minister Sanjay Rathod has appealed to citizens across the state to participate in the initiative.
The state-level programme will be held in Mumbai, while district-level programmes will be coordinated by Collectors, who will head the district Soil and Water Conservation Committees. The government plans to invite the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Ministers, ministers, legislators, local representatives and other public representatives.
Administrative and semi-government employees, prominent citizens, doctors, artists, entrepreneurs, sportspersons, college and school students, NCC and NSS members, Nehru Yuva Kendra, Bharat Scouts and Guides, Red Cross, Home Guards, NGOs, Rotary and Lions Club members, running and cycling clubs, industry and traders’ associations, CSR partners, sports organisations and women’s groups will also be encouraged to participate.
QR-Based Registration
Citizens will be able to register online for the Maha Walkathon through a QR-based registration system. Every participant will receive an e-certificate, while the first 10 winners at the district level will receive recognition and awards.
Participants have been encouraged to use #MahaWalkathon, #WalkForWater and #SaveSoilSaveWater on social media.
Reel Competition for Youth
As part of Water Conservation Week, a statewide “Reel for Soil and Water Conservation” competition will be organised across all 36 districts. The competition is open to young people aged 15 to 30 years and aims to use Instagram to spread awareness about soil and water conservation.
Participants must create a 30-to-60-second Instagram Reel, mention their name and district and post it on a public Instagram account. They must also tag the official account of the Department of Soil and Water Conservation and use the prescribed hashtag.
The registration process will involve scanning an official QR code, submitting the Reel link, selecting the district, verification and receiving a participation certificate. Reels can be uploaded between August 15 and 21, 2026.
Suggested themes include soil conservation, water saving, erosion control, rainwater harvesting, farm ponds, check dams, watershed development, tree plantation, environmental protection, successful local conservation initiatives and innovative methods of saving soil and water.
Participants can use storytelling, acting, music, dance, animation, AI-generated creativity, comedy, short films, before-and-after visuals, drone footage and other innovative formats, provided the central message remains focused on soil and water conservation.
The competition will be evaluated on content and message (30 marks), creativity (25), social impact (20), presentation and technical quality (15), and Instagram engagement (10).
Each district is expected to generate at least 250 Reels, with a statewide target of 10,000 Reels.
District-level winners will receive ₹25,000 for first place, ₹15,000 for second place and ₹10,000 for third place, along with mementoes. Eligible participants will receive e-certificates, while winners will be recognised as “Yuva Mruda-Jaldut” (Young Soil and Water Ambassadors).
Water Conservation Campaign
The wider campaign will also include essay, painting, poster and debate competitions in schools and colleges. Topics will include the importance of water conservation, rainwater harvesting, household water budgeting and whether water conservation is the responsibility of the government or citizens.
Schools will also undertake initiatives such as “One School-One Recharge Pit”, promote water-saving practices and identify Jal Mitras/Jal Doots (Water Friends/Water Ambassadors).
On August 21, schools will observe Water Conservation Day, administer a soil and water conservation pledge and organise certificate and award ceremonies. Water experts and prominent local personalities will also be invited to participate.
Schools and colleges demonstrating outstanding performance, along with students making exceptional contributions, will be felicitated with certificates and mementoes by the respective guardian ministers on January 26, 2027.
The government hopes the initiative will strengthen public participation and create sustained awareness about conserving Maharashtra’s soil and water resources for future generations.
