Subject: Environment & Ecology

The Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) represents India's comprehensive approach towards water conservation and security, embodying the principle of "Catch the Rain, Where it Falls, When it Falls."

Key Features and Implementation Strategy

Time-Bound Mission Mode Approach:

• Implementation through focused campaigns like JSA: Catch the Rain (CTR) with specific themes each year ("Nari Shakti se Jal Shakti" in 2024, "Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari" in 2025).
• Strategic targeting of water-stressed districts identified by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB).

Infrastructure Development:

• Creation of 880,269 water conservation and rainwater harvesting structures between March 2024 and January 2025.
• Focus on source sustainability through groundwater recharge and watershed development.
• Construction of check dams, farm ponds, and recharge wells.

Community Participation:

• Emphasis on Jan Bhagidari (people's participation) in water conservation efforts.
• Integration of traditional water conservation knowledge with modern techniques.
• Engagement of local communities in planning and implementation.

Impact Assessment and Outcomes:

• Increase in groundwater recharge from 433 BCM to 446.90 BCM (2017-2024).
• Enhanced rural household tap water coverage to 77.87% by August 2024.
• Construction of over 1.07 crore water conservation structures.

Challenges and Way Forward

Implementation Challenges:

• Need for better structural design of water conservation structures.
• Requirement for improved monitoring mechanisms.
• Ensuring sustainable maintenance of created infrastructure.

The success of Jal Shakti Abhiyan demonstrates India's commitment to achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) through innovative approaches like "Catch the Rain" campaign and community-driven water conservation initiatives, setting an example for sustainable water resource management.