Community-led initiatives and innovative water conservation practices earn Rajnandgaon national recognition; President Droupadi Murmu to present award on November 18
Published on: November 12, 2025
By: BTNI
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
Rajnandgaon has brought pride to Chhattisgarh by emerging as a model of community-driven water conservation. The district will be honoured as the Best District (East Zone) at the 6th National Water Awards, organized by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India. The announcement was made on November 11, 2025, by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil during the official award declaration ceremony.
The selection came after a rigorous evaluation by the Central Ground Water Board, Central Water Commission, and inspection teams that assessed nominations from several states in the East Zone. The recognition highlights Rajnandgaon’s sustained efforts in water conservation, management, and public participation.
The award will be presented by President Droupadi Murmu on November 18, 2025, acknowledging the district’s success in transforming water management into a public movement through the “Mission Jal Raksha” initiative.
A Model of Collective Action
Under Mission Jal Raksha, Rajnandgaon district implemented extensive water conservation and management programmes with the active involvement of citizens, public representatives, panchayats, women’s self-help groups, industrial units, students, and NGOs. From villages to cities, people united under the motto “Jal Hai To Kal Hai” (Water is Life), making water conservation a mass movement.
Farmers contributed by adopting crop rotation, rainwater harvesting, and groundwater recharge techniques, which collectively improved the district’s water table. Notably, the Central Ground Water Board’s 2021–22 report had earlier marked three blocks in the district as “semi-critical zones.” Through sustained efforts, these zones are now showing visible recovery and serve as a model for other regions.
Women and Youth Leading the Change
Women’s groups, led by Padma Shri awardee Phoolbasan Bai Yadav, played a pivotal role through initiatives like ‘Neer aur Naari Jal Yatra’, spreading awareness on sustainable water use. Educational institutions also organized rallies, plantation drives, competitions, and awareness programmes to encourage community responsibility toward water conservation.
Technological and Innovative Approaches
The district adopted GIS-based planning, recharge structures, injection wells, percolation tanks, farm ponds, and rejuvenation of traditional water bodies. Emphasis was placed on minimizing groundwater extraction, maximizing rainwater harvesting, and promoting collective stewardship of water resources.
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National Recognition for Community Effort
The upcoming national award is a tribute to the joint efforts of Rajnandgaon’s citizens, leaders, and institutions. It signifies how community participation can turn conservation into a sustainable reality. Additionally, the district will receive another award for excellence in public participation in water management at the same ceremony in New Delhi.
Rajnandgaon’s achievement not only marks a milestone for Chhattisgarh but also stands as an inspirational model for participatory water management across India — a testament to what unified community action can achieve in the pursuit of sustainable development.
