Jal Shakti Abhiyan is a campaign for water conservation and water security which was launched on 1st July 2019. The campaign ran through citizen participation during the monsoon season, from 1st July, 2019 to 15th September, 2019. An additional Phase 2 will be run from 1st October, 2019 to 30th November, 2019 for States receiving the North East retreating monsoons.
The focus of the campaign was on water stressed districts and blocks. The Scheme aims at providing drinking water to every household on priority and in a sustainable manner.
Intervention Areas of Jal Shakti Abhiyan
- Water conservation and rainwater harvesting
- Renovation of traditional and other water bodies/tanks
- Reuse and recharge structures
- Watershed development
- Intensive afforestation
- Development of Block and District Water Conservation Plans (To be integrated with the District Irrigation Plans)
- Krishi Vigyan Kendra Melas to promote efficient water use for irrigation (Per Drop More Crop), and better choice of crops for water conservation.
- In urban areas, plans/approvals with timebound targets to be developed for waste water reuse for industrial and agriculture purposes. Municipalities to pass by-laws for the separation of grey water and blackwater.
- 3D Village Contour Maps may be created and made accessible for efficient planning of interventions.
Implementing Agency of Jal Shakti Abhiyan
The Jal Shakti Abhiyan is a collaborative effort of various Ministries of the Government of India and State Governments, being coordinated by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
The teams of officers from the central government visited and worked with district administration in 1592 water stressed blocks in 256 districts, to ensure five important water conservation interventions. These were:
- Water conservation and rainwater harvesting
- Renovation of traditional and other water bodies/tanks
- Reuse, bore well recharge structures
- Watershed development
- Intensive afforestation.
These water conservation efforts will also be supplemented with special interventions including the development of Block and District Water Conservation Plans, promotion of efficient water use for irrigation and better choice of crops through Krishi Vigyan Kendras.
A large-scale communications campaign has also been planned alongside the JSA involving mass mobilisation of different groups including school students, college students, swachhagrahis, Self Help Groups, Panchayati Raj Institution members, youth groups (NSS/NYKS/NCC), defence personnel, ex-servicemen and pensioners, among various others.
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