Rajouri: In a remarkable achievement, District Rajouri has secured the 2nd position at the national level in the category of Northeast and Hilly Districts under the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) Abhiyan, one of the major constituents of the Government of India’s flagship ‘Catch the Rain’ campaign.
The campaign is spearheaded by the Ministry of Jal Shakti to promote water conservation and rainwater harvesting across the country.
The recognition came as a testament to the tireless efforts of the district administration and the active participation of the local population.
At Tuesday’s national-level review meeting, Union Minister of Jal Shakti, C.R. Patil lauded the outstanding performance of Rajouri and commended the District Administration for its unwavering commitment to the goals of the campaign amidst multiple challenges.
District Development Commissioner (DDC) Abhishek Sharma, in his presentation, highlighted the extensive progress made under the campaign, revealing that over 4214 groundwater recharge and water conservation/harvesting structures have been geo-tagged and uploaded on the JSJB portal. “These include 132 Amrit Sarovars, 894 small ponds, 510 bowlis, 2270 harvesting tanks, and 408 dugwells. This significant achievement has not only bolstered the district’s resilience to water scarcity but also earned it a national-level award under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan” he added.
What makes this achievement even more commendable is the fact that the district continued its developmental momentum despite disruptions caused by recent cross-border shelling. Under the close monitoring and guidance of the DDC, all targets under the Abhiyan were met with precision and dedication.
This recognition places Rajouri among the leading districts in India in terms of community-driven water conservation and showcases its emergence as a model under the ‘Catch the Rain: Where it Falls, When it Falls’ initiative.
It is pertinent to mention that the launch of the ‘Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari’ initiative by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 6, 2024, in Surat, Gujarat, marked a pivotal moment in the nation’s efforts to build water-secure and climate-resilient communities.
