— Soil and Water Conservation Minister Sanjay Rathod
Mumbai, Aug 2026 : Taking inspiration from the remarkable contribution of former Maharashtra Chief Minister late Sudhakarrao Naik to water conservation, the state has decided to observe August 21, his birth anniversary, as Water Conservation Day. Accordingly, Maha Walkathons were organised across all districts of Maharashtra.
Expressing his views at the state-level Maha Walkathon organised near Sagar Point in Worli, Soil and Water Conservation Minister Sanjay Rathod said the initiative had taken “one step towards creating a water-secure Maharashtra” by spreading awareness about the importance of soil and water conservation.
Legislative Council Deputy Chairman Sachin Ahir, Minister of State for Soil and Water Conservation Indranil Naik, Secretary of the Soil and Water Conservation Department Jitendra Papalkar and singer Sanju Rathod were among those present.
Rathod said the ‘Maha Walkathon – Walk for Water’ initiative, organised across the state with the message “Save Soil, Save Water and Build a Secure Maharashtra”, had received an enthusiastic response. More than three lakh citizens participated in the walkathons organised across all districts.
The initiative was launched by the Soil and Water Conservation Department to increase public participation in efforts to conserve soil and water.
Rathod said the government decided that instead of limiting discussions on water conservation to meetings in Mantralaya or programmes held in conference halls, awareness should be created directly among citizens.
“Soil and water are issues directly linked to the future of the state. People's participation is essential to complement the government's efforts towards their conservation,” he said, while particularly urging young people to become actively involved in the water conservation movement.
He recalled that late Sudhakarrao Naik had given an institutional framework to water conservation efforts and transformed the principle of ‘Paani Adva, Paani Jirva’ (Stop Water, Let Water Percolate) into a broad people's movement. Rathod emphasised that protecting soil and water would be crucial for Maharashtra's future.
Maha Walkathon an Innovative Initiative: Sachin Ahir
Legislative Council Deputy Chairman Sachin Ahir described the Maha Walkathon as an innovative and commendable initiative aimed at taking the message of saving soil, conserving water and ensuring water security to every section of society.
“Water is everyone's basic need. The idea of water conservation must reach people's minds beyond caste and religion,” Ahir said.
He noted that the enthusiastic response received in all 36 districts of Maharashtra represented a promising beginning towards building a people's movement for water conservation for future generations.
Greater Public Participation Essential: Indranil Naik
Minister of State for Soil and Water Conservation Indranil Naik said initiatives such as the Maha Walkathon were important in increasing public awareness about water and soil conservation.
He pointed out that rainwater often carries fertile soil away, while inadequate water percolation prevents groundwater reserves from being replenished.
“Greater public participation is necessary for soil and water conservation,” Naik said, urging citizens to participate in conservation efforts to create sustainable supplies of fertile land and water for future generations.
He said late Sudhakarrao Naik had established the Soil and Water Conservation Department with considerable foresight and added that implementing his message of ‘Paani Adva, Paani Jirva’ would be the true tribute to his legacy.
State-Level Walkathon Begins with Water Conservation Pledge
The state-level Maha Walkathon began at the promenade along the coastal road near Aarey Milk Colony. Floral tributes were paid to the portrait of former Chief Minister Sudhakarrao Naik, followed by a water-worship ceremony in which water was offered to a Tulsi plant.
Participants subsequently took a pledge to protect and conserve soil and water before the walkathon was formally flagged off by the dignitaries.
Actors Pushkar Shrotri, Jackie Bhagnani and Rajneesh Duggal, former cricketer Irfan Pathan, music duo Sanjeev-Shravan, singer Anil Singh and Zaheer Sheikh were among the prominent personalities who participated. Senior government officials, including Eknath Dawale and Shrikant Pulkundwar, along with college students, local representatives and personalities from social, cultural, artistic and sporting fields, also attended.
Three-Kilometre Walk Draws Strong Response
The three-kilometre Maha Walkathon covered the stretch from Aarey Milk Colony to Madraswadi, with participants walking alongside the Arabian Sea.
Minister Sanjay Rathod completed the entire three-kilometre route on foot along with the participants. Sachin Ahir, Indranil Naik, Jitendra Papalkar and other senior officials also joined the walk and encouraged the participants.
The event featured a song highlighting the importance of water security and the message “Save Soil, Protect Water.” Participants were also offered prizes through a lucky-draw system, adding to the enthusiasm surrounding the initiative.
