India launched the sixth edition of its flagship water conservation initiative, ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain – 2025,’ on Friday, driving the government’s push for sustainable water management through community participation.
For the first time outside the capital, the campaign, inaugurated in Panchkula, Haryana, highlights the government’s commitment to grassroots outreach. More than 10,000 citizens, officials, and water experts participated in the event, which aimed to tackle water security amid growing climate challenges.
“We often speak of saving wealth, but more important is saving water,” said CR Patil, India’s Minister of Jal Shakti, adding, “true water security can only be achieved when every citizen contributes.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration has prioritized water conservation as a national agenda, with large-scale investments in rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge projects.
Connecting Communities for Conservation
The “People’s Action for Water Conservation – Towards Intensified Community Connect” initiative will focus on 148 districts nationwide.
The program will also integrate environmental conservation, launching the ‘Jal-Jangal-Jan: Ek Prakritik Bandhan Abhiyan’ to restore the ecological connection between forests, rivers, and groundwater sources.
Haryana’s chief minister, Nayab Singh Saini, highlighted the state’s efforts in water-efficient farming and traditional water body rejuvenation. “The Jal Shakti Abhiyan is a powerful platform to turn awareness into action,” Saini said.
In addition to awareness campaigns, the event launched key infrastructure projects under the Swachh Bharat Mission–Grameen, including rainwater harvesting systems, borewell recharge initiatives, and a Water Resources Atlas.
The state also unveiled an Online Canal Water Management System to optimize irrigation.
The campaign also recognized the contributions of farmers, women leaders, and local organizations in water conservation, further reinforcing the government’s focus on participatory governance.
“If ever a third world war is fought over water, India will not be a part of it,” Patil said, asserting the government’s commitment to long-term water security under Modi’s leadership.
With India facing increasing water stress, experts say the success of such community-led initiatives will be crucial in ensuring sustainable water availability in the years to come.
