About Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB)

• Title: Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari.
• Introduced by: Ministry of Jal Shakti through Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR)
• Launch: 6 September 2024 (by PM Modi of Surat, Gujarat)
• Purpose: Encourage grassroots conservation of water by means of cheap artificial recharge and rainwater catchment pits.

Key Features

• Pay attention to Groundwater Recharge:
  • Structures: recharge shafts, soak pits, borewell recharge, rooftop harvesting.
  • Local material and cheap technology.
• Mass Participation (Jan Bhagidari):
  • Citizens, local authorities, Non Governmental Organisations, industries, schools and panchayats.
  • Whole of government + whole of society model.
• Targets:
  • Establish 1 million plus recharge structures in India.
  • Sustainable groundwater.
    Integration
• One of Catch the Rain Campaign 2025:
  • Theme: “Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari -Jan Jagrukta Ki Or.

State Achievements

• JSJB 1.0: The state developed 4,05,563 water conservation facilities and this comprises rain water harvesting structures, soak pits, check dams and borewell recharge structures.
• JSJB 2.0: Mahasamund district developed 35,182 water structures, which consist of:
  • 5,000 soak pits
  • 125 injection wells
  • 1,839 ground water recharge pits.
  • 25 borewell recharges
  • Janpad Panchayats have 785 water works.
• These programs have greatly enhanced water security on the ground and local water management.

Public Participation

• There was huge involvement of communities in both campaigns which involved the citizens, local bodies and administrative officials.
• Villagers, women groups and the youth were also actively involved in the process of building and repairing water structures and this goes to show the value of collective efforts in conserving resources.

Urban Success

• In JSJB 1.0, Raipur Municipal Corporation was a first prize winner in urban water conservation.
• The success shows how city settlements can also play a leading role in sustainable water management, to support rural efforts.

The Government Support and Recognition

• CM Vishnu Deo Sai praised all the participants noting the importance of citizens in encouraging water conservation.
• Mahasamund district won the first place in the JSJB 2.0, so the Central Government gave it ₹1 crore.
• These projects are consistent with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of a whole-of-society approach to water management, with community participation and government coordination.

National Context Water Stress in India

• India has 4% of the world’s freshwater resources with an 18% population.
• Over 250 districts experience serious or overused groundwater levels.
• Women in rural areas have to travel a distance of 2.5 km or more to collect water.
• The lack of safe drinking water affects 163 million Indians with a quarter of communicable diseases attributable to unsafe water being a source.
• These campaigns are necessary to reduce any water shortage and ensure sustainable access.

Government efforts for rainwater harvesting

• Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM): The pipe water reached 3 crore households to over 15 crore rural households.
• Amrit Sarovar Construction: Over 60,000 are water bodies designed to improve water storage and management.
• Catch the Rain Campaign: Asks states and communities to design rainwater harvesting structures (RWHS).
• Mor Gaon-Mor Pani (Chhattisgarh): Village-level plan giving the villages authority to effectively manage and sustain water resources.

Conclusion 

The performance of Chhattisgarh in both JSJB 1.0 and 2.0 is an indicator of the strength of action and involvement of the community in water conservation. National recognition encourages other districts to follow these successful models. The urban and rural regions worked in tandem with boosting water security and sustainable development. Long term sustainability of water is possible through government intervention with citizen involvement. These have placed Chhattisgarh at the forefront in national water management and conservation