Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA), launched in 2019, is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Jal Shakti and state governments aimed at improving water security in India. The ‘Catch the Rain’ component, initiated in 2021 and continuing in 2024, focuses on rainwater harvesting and water conservation efforts. Recognizing the diverse hydrological and socio-economic conditions across the country, the 2024 iteration of JSR emphasizes focused interventions tailored to both rural and urban landscapes. This campaign is particularly significant given India’s increasing water stress and the need for community-driven water management solutions, aligning with the goals of the National Water Policy (2012) and the Amrit Jal Kalp Yojana.
Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain, 2024 – Focused Interventions
The Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain, 2024, operates on the principle of ‘Jan Andolan’ (people’s movement) and aims to promote rainwater harvesting and water conservation at all levels. The interventions are broadly categorized for rural and urban areas, reflecting their distinct needs and challenges.
Rural Areas: Targets and Interventions
The focus in rural areas is on enhancing water availability for agriculture, livestock, and domestic use, with a strong emphasis on groundwater recharge. Key targets and interventions include:
- Renovation of Traditional Water Bodies: Reviving ponds, tanks, and stepwells (johads) to increase water storage capacity. The aim is to renovate at least 50,000 such structures across the country.
- Construction of Check Dams and Percolation Tanks: Building small-scale water harvesting structures to impede water flow and facilitate groundwater recharge.
- Watershed Development: Implementing integrated watershed management programs to improve land and water resource management in rain-fed areas. This includes contour bunding, gully plugging, and afforestation.
- Rainwater Harvesting Structures in Households: Promoting the construction of rooftop rainwater harvesting systems and household-level water storage tanks, particularly in water-scarce regions.
- Awareness Campaigns: Conducting extensive awareness campaigns to educate communities about the importance of water conservation and rainwater harvesting techniques.
- Spring Shed Development: Protecting and rejuvenating natural springs to ensure a sustainable water supply.
Urban Areas: Targets and Interventions
Urban interventions prioritize reducing urban flooding, augmenting water supply, and improving water use efficiency. The targets and interventions are:
- Rainwater Harvesting in Buildings: Mandating rainwater harvesting systems in all new constructions and encouraging retrofitting in existing buildings, especially government buildings and commercial complexes.
- Recharge Wells and Borewells: Constructing recharge wells and utilizing existing borewells for groundwater recharge.
- Stormwater Drainage Management: Improving stormwater drainage systems to prevent urban flooding and capture rainwater for recharge. This includes desilting drains and constructing new drainage infrastructure.
- Porous Pavements: Promoting the use of porous pavements in parking lots and walkways to allow rainwater to percolate into the ground.
- Water Audit and Leak Detection: Conducting water audits in urban local bodies to identify and address water leakage and wastage.
- Awareness Campaigns: Educating urban residents about water conservation practices and the benefits of rainwater harvesting.
Comparative Analysis: Rural vs. Urban Interventions
| Feature | Rural Areas | Urban Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Groundwater recharge, agricultural water security | Flood control, water supply augmentation, water use efficiency |
| Key Structures | Ponds, tanks, check dams, percolation tanks | Recharge wells, porous pavements, stormwater drainage systems |
| Scale of Intervention | Larger geographical areas (watersheds) | Localized interventions (buildings, streets) |
| Community Participation | High; community ownership crucial | Moderate; often driven by municipal authorities |
The success of JSR 2024 relies heavily on effective coordination between central and state governments, active participation of local communities, and robust monitoring mechanisms. The campaign also leverages technologies like remote sensing and GIS mapping for identifying potential rainwater harvesting sites and monitoring progress.
Conclusion
The Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain, 2024, represents a crucial step towards addressing India’s water challenges through a decentralized and participatory approach. By tailoring interventions to the specific needs of rural and urban areas, the campaign aims to enhance water security, reduce water stress, and promote sustainable water management practices. Continued investment in infrastructure, capacity building, and community engagement will be essential for achieving the long-term goals of the campaign and ensuring water availability for future generations. Further, integrating JSR with other water-related schemes like the Atal Bhujal Yojana will amplify its impact.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.