New Delhi : Under the guidance of CM Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh has become a national model in water conservation. ‘Yogi’s Uttar Pradesh has become an example for other states. Several districts of Uttar Pradesh performed exceptionally well in recently held sixth National Water Awards. In the northern region, Mirzapur, Varanasi, and Jalaun received the first, second, and third prizes respectively. Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation received the third prize in ‘Jal Sanchay Janbhagidari’ category.
Local water conservation initiatives received national recognition. Under the “Amrit Mission” for water conservation and storage, the Yogi government rapidly implemented reservoir restoration and rainwater harvesting schemes in 75 districts, along with sanitation. The restoration of over 52,000 reservoirs, ponds, and tank systems improved rural water levels. Furthermore, Uttar Pradesh implemented the “Har Ghar Jal” (water for every household) scheme in Bundelkhand and Vindhya regions. Social awareness is also being created through the “Jal Sanvardhan Jan Andolan” to address the water crisis.
Under the “Amrit Mission,” reservoir restoration and beautification were achieved in 75 districts. Meanwhile, under the “Amrit Mission 2.0″, large-scale infrastructure was developed in all districts to ensure water security in urban areas. More than 52,000 ponds and reservoirs were renovated, significantly improving rural water levels. According to government reports, water availability increased in more than 22,000 water structures. 95 new projects were approved to strengthen the canal system. Upon completion, these projects will restore irrigation capacity to 36,000 hectares of land. This will directly benefit 9 lakh farmers and rural residents.
Additionally, 273 hectares of departmental government land will be protected. Sensor based water metering devices are being used to monitor groundwater use. Efforts are also underway to recharge groundwater in Uttar Pradesh. Under this initiative, more than 42,000 structures (rainwater harvesting, check dams, etc.) were constructed. This extensive campaign contributed to an increase of over 20 percent in groundwater recharge. Under the Social Awareness (Vidyalaya Abhiyan), the Yogi government implemented a water conservation campaign in more than 1.20 lakh schools and over 50,000 Anganwadi centres. Through this, the ‘Jal Andolan” was given social impetus through children and youth.
The work done by the double-engine government towards providing water to every household has set a new standards . Mirzapur also achieved significant success, after the work done for water conservation and storage, under the leadership of the Yogi government and the supervision of the local administration. Mirzapur was declared the best district in the North Zone in the awards announced by the Ministry of Jalshakti.
Mirzapur has 12 development blocks and 809 gram panchayats. Water levels used to fall leading to drought conditions, hand pumps and wells dried up in many areas during the summer. Due to low rainfall, the falling groundwater level deepened the irrigation crisis. To address this issue and promote rainwater harvesting, a special campaign was launched on February 24, 2024. The Lohandi River was renovated here, this 15 km long river passes through 11 Gram Panchayats. Work was carried out under MNREGA in 10.63 km of the river, while the remaining work was done through public participation.
The Bhoogarbh Jal Vibhag constructed large rainwater harvesting systems at the Government Industrial Training Institute and G.I.C. Promoting micro-irrigation systems, sprinkler irrigation was added to a total of 3,894 hectares in one year. Previously dried-up hand pumps are now pumping water. The groundwater level increased by an average of 1 meter in six development blocks of the district.
In villages like Chitpur and Gopalpur, along the Lohandi River, the groundwater level rose by 2.27 meters, reviving dry wells and borewells. Water availability also improved in all development blocks, by installing micro-irrigation (sprinkler-drip) on 3,894 hectares. 156 agricultural ponds and 4 new check dams provided irrigation facilities to farmers, increasing crop production. 4.23 lakh man days employment (52% women participation) were created. Previously dry borewells are now full of water, ensuring water availability round the year in villages.
PM Modi’s call for water conservation and the Yogi government’s initiatives are providing signs of change. The 83 km long Noon River, originating from Satoh village in the Koch tehsil area of Jalaun district, had been dry and polluted for a long time. The river was revitalized through community participation and local administrative efforts, including building check dams and planting trees. The project has enabled the river’s water to be used for irrigation.
Jalaun district recieved the third ‘Jal Sanrakshan’ award in the North India category, for its innovative water conservation initiatives by President Draupadi Murmu ,to Jalaun’s DM Rajesh Kumar Pandey. The’ Har Ghar Jal yojana’ became effective.
