What are the salient features of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan launched by the Government of India for water conservation and water security? (UPSC 2020)

The Jal Shakti Abhiyan is a time-bound, mission-mode campaign launched in 2019 to improve water conservation, recharge groundwater and strengthen water security in water-stressed areas. It works through convergence of departments, scientific planning and public participation, rather than a single scheme.

• Focused coverage: Began in 1,592 stressed blocks across 256 districts; later expanded nationwide through Catch the Rain.
• Five core works: rainwater harvesting, renovation of water bodies, reuse and recharge of borewells, watershed development and afforestation.
• Scientific approach: uses GIS and remote sensing for district water plans and local water mapping.
• Institutional support: Jal Shakti Kendras and district teams guide communities with technical inputs.
• Convergence: pools funds and labour from MGNREGS, PMKSY, AMRUT, CAMPA and Finance Commission grants.
• Jan Bhagidari: promotes community action, CSR support and low-cost local structures.

Thus, the Abhiyan combines administrative convergence, technical planning and community ownership to create sustainable water security.