The ministry of jal shakti has launched the fifth National Water Awards on the Rashtriya Puraskar portal.

Any state, district, village panchayat, Urban Local Body, school, college, institution, industry, civil society, water user association and an individual who has done good work in the field of water conservation and management is eligible to apply.

National Water Awards

• The government has instituted National Water Awards with the objective of encouraging the stakeholders to adopt a holistic approach towards water resources conservation and management in the country. 

• The aim is to recognise the efforts of individuals, organisations, districts and state authorities, etc for good work done in the field of water resources management. 

• It is a comprehensive campaign to spread awareness about water management and water conservation on a national level.

• The Groundwater Augmentation Awards and National Water Award were launched in the year 2007 with an objective to encourage all stakeholder including the NGOs, Gram Panchayats, Urban Local Bodies, water user associations, institutions, corporate sector, individuals, etc for adopting innovative practices of groundwater augmentation by rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge, promoting water use efficiency, recycling & re-use of water and creating awareness through people’s participation in the targeted areas resulting into the sustainability of groundwater resources development, adequate capacity building amongst the stakeholders, etc.

• Considering the fact that surface water and groundwater are an integral part of the water cycle, it was felt necessary to institute unified National Water Awards with the objectives of encouraging the stakeholders to adopt holistic approach towards water resources management in the country.

• Accordingly, the first National Water Awards were launched in 2018. The second and third National Water Awards were given for the years 2019 and 2020. The awards were not given in the year 2021 due to COVID-19  pandemic.

• It seeks to create awareness among people about the importance of water and motivate them to adopt best water use practices.

• The event provides an opportunity to all people and organisations to forge a strong partnership and further strengthen public participation in water resource conservation and management activities.

• All applications received are scrutinised by a screening committee and shortlisted applications are placed before the jury committee which is constituted by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. The recommendations of the committee are submitted to the Union minister of jal shakti  for approval.

• Trophy and citation will be given for Best State (1st, 2nd & 3rd). Best District is awarded for each of five zones — Northern, Southern, Western, Eastern & North Eastern.

• Trophy and citation along with cash prize (Rs 2 lakh, Rs 1.5 lakh and Rs 1 lakh for top three winners) will be given to awardees in best village panchayat, best Urban Local Body, best school or college, best industry, best civil society, best water user association and best individual for excellence.

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