President Murmu presents 6th National Water Awards

• President Droupadi Murmu presented the sixth National Water Awards and Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Awards at a function held in New Delhi on November 18.

• Maharashtra secured the first rank under the Best State category, followed by Gujarat and Haryana.

National Water Awards

• Water has always been central to India’s heritage, prosperity, and progress. 

• In charting a sustainable and resilient future, the nation recognises that valuing and revitalising its water resources is more crucial than ever. 

• Guided by this vision, India has embraced a collective endeavour, uniting citizens, communities, and institutions in a shared commitment to wise and innovative water use. 

• Recognising the need to celebrate and encourage exemplary work in water management, the National Water Awards were introduced in 2018.

• The awards were conceived as a platform to honour individuals, organisations, and states that demonstrate innovation, leadership, and dedication in the field of water conservation. 

• This initiative highlights the urgent need for responsible water usage and promotes community participation in protecting and rejuvenating water resources. 

• Through outreach, education, and on-ground activities, the campaign seeks to inspire behavioural change among individuals, households, and institutional level.

• The 6th National Water Awards were officially launched on October 23, 2024. 

• The initiative drew 751 applications, from which 46 winners, including joint awardees, have been chosen across 10 different categories. 

• These categories are: Best State, Best District, Best Village Panchayat, Best Urban Local Body, Best School or College, Best Industry, Best Water User Association, Best Institution (other than school or college), Best Civil Society and Best individual for excellence in water sector.

Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) Awards

• The Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Awards were launched in 2024 under Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain campaign.

• It honours outstanding community-driven water conservation efforts. 

• Recognising 100 contributors across sectors, the initiative promotes scalable models for groundwater recharge and long-term water security. 

• Under the JSJB campaign, 35 lakh groundwater recharge structures have been constructed, significantly scaling up participation by citizens, partners, and local bodies.

• JSJB promotes community participation in water conservation through rainwater harvesting and recharge structures, far exceeding its original targets.