Sujalam Sufalam Jal Abhiyan Expands Water Storage in Gujarat

The Sujalam Sufalam Jal Abhiyan is a water conservation campaign in Gujarat linked with pond deepening, check dam desilting, check dam repair, and groundwater recharge. The initiative has been implemented through state government departments and public participation under the broader water conservation framework associated with the Catch the Rain programme.

Campaign Coverage and Water Storage

In 2026, the campaign increased Gujarat’s water storage capacity by 20,789 lakh cubic feet. Over the past eight years, the cumulative increase in water storage capacity reached 1,38,039 lakh cubic feet across the state. Between 2018 and 2024, the state carried out 1,07,608 works, including 36,979 new lakes and desilting of 24,086 check dams.

Works Completed in 2026

As of May 2026, 13,315 water conservation works were completed across Gujarat. The 2026 campaign included 2,450 pond deepening projects, 3,661 check dam desilting works, and 1,160 check dam repair projects. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched the 2026 campaign from Gandhinagar on 23 February 2026.

Employment and River Revival

The campaign generated over 2.30 lakh man-days of employment during 2026. The Mesri River in Godhra, located in Panchmahal district of Gujarat, is undergoing desilting and restoration under the Sujalam Sufalam Scheme as of June 2026. Community participation has been part of the river revival work.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Sujalam Sufalam Jal Abhiyan is a water conservation initiative in Gujarat.
• The Catch the Rain initiative is associated with water conservation and groundwater recharge in India.
• Check dams are small barriers built across streams to store water and reduce runoff.
• Desilting removes deposited silt from ponds, lakes, and check dams to restore storage capacity.

Recognition and Recent Campaign Phase

The campaign received the Platinum category SKOCH Award in 2020 and the Gold category in 2021. The Catch the Rain – Sujalam Sufalam Jal Abhiyan 2.0 campaign ran from 4 April to 31 May 2025.