Bidar District Wins Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Award
Bidar district in Karnataka was honoured with the Centre’s Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Award. The award recognises top-performing districts under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan – Catch the Rain campaign. Bidar received ₹25 lakh for its exemplary efforts in water conservation and community participation. It was one of six districts from Karnataka to win, and the only one from the Kalyana Karnataka region.
Jal Shakti Abhiyan Campaign Overview
The Jal Shakti Abhiyan is a national initiative led by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. It promotes community-driven water conservation and groundwater recharge across India. The campaign encourages local bodies, communities, industries, NGOs and resident welfare associations to work together. Its goal is to combat water scarcity and groundwater depletion through sustainable practices.
Bidar’s Water Conservation Measures
Bidar district adopted multiple water conservation techniques. These included building small check dams, gabion structures, gully plugs and percolation ponds. Traditional rainwater harvesting systems like taankas and stepwells were revived. The district also created soak pits to enhance groundwater recharge. Desilting of water bodies under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) improved water retention. Trenches were dug in agricultural fields to reduce soil erosion and increase water absorption.
Community Participation and Empowerment
The success of Bidar’s efforts is credited to active community involvement. The Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari initiative encourages participation from all stakeholders. Local residents, government agencies and NGOs collaborated closely. This collective action helped implement water conservation projects effectively. It also raised awareness about the importance of sustainable water management. Community empowerment is seen as key to replicating such success in other regions.
Significance of the Award
The award recognises Bidar’s commitment to sustainable water management. It marks the district as a model for others to follow. The prize money supports further water conservation activities. Officials believe this success will motivate other districts to intensify their efforts. The recognition affirms that community-led initiatives can bring transformational change in water resource management. Bidar’s achievement puts stress on the critical role of social participation in environmental sustainability.
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