{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Chhattisgarh Tops India in Rainwater Harvesting, Secures First Rank in Phase 3 of Catch the Rain Campaign",
  "summary": "Chhattisgarh achieved the top spot nationwide in the Jal Shakti Ministry's water conservation campaign. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai presented the state's community-driven 5 percent water model at a national summit in New Delhi.",
  "content": "Chhattisgarh has created a historic milestone in rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge efforts across India. In the third phase of the 'Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari' (JSJB) and 'Catch the Rain' campaign organized by the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, the state secured the first rank in the entire nation. This prestigious national recognition was highlighted during a departmental summit of the Jal Shakti Ministry held at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in New Delhi. In the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao presented the details of Chhattisgarh's comprehensive water conservation strategies, emphasizing community participation, groundwater replenishment, and the long-term preservation of drinking water sources.\n\nNational Presentation of the Water Conservation Model\nAddressing the national summit, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai outlined how Chhattisgarh successfully transformed water conservation from a traditional government project into a vibrant mass movement. The initiative brings together local panchayats, farmers, and rural communities to work collectively towards water security. Sharing a personal perspective, the Chief Minister remarked that he comes from a farming family and has personally ploughed agricultural fields in his native village of Bagiya. This firsthand connection to the land makes him deeply understand the critical value of water for rural livelihoods. Representing approximately 4 percent of India's total geographical area, Chhattisgarh has set an inspiring example for other states through its sustained commitment to water harvesting.\n\nThe 5 Percent Land Model from Koriya District\nA central pillar of Chhattisgarh's water harvesting framework is the innovative 5 Percent Model, which originally began in Koriya district. Under this voluntary program, local farmers dedicate 5 percent of their agricultural land specifically for constructing groundwater recharge structures. On these designated land parcels, specialized rainwater collection structures are developed to intercept surface runoff and allow water to percolate slowly into the subsoil. As rainwater accumulates in these farm ponds and percolation pits, it gradually restores subsoil water tables. This continuous replenishment enhances water levels in surrounding wells and borewells, ensuring dependable water availability for agricultural irrigation as well as daily domestic consumption. The operational model relies on structured inter-departmental coordination, precise digital geo-tagging of structures, regular administrative monitoring, and ground execution supported by local cadres like Jal Sakhi and Jal Mitra.\n\nPhase-wise Achievements and Data Breakdown\nChhattisgarh's performance across all three phases of the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari campaign reflects remarkable scale and administrative focus. In the initial phase, known as JSJB 1.0, the state constructed a total of 4,05,561 water conservation structures, earning the second position nationwide. In the second phase, JSJB 2.0, a total of 24,07,456 water structures were registered across the state, out of which 23,07,768 structures were fully completed, again securing the second position nationally. Building on this solid foundation, Chhattisgarh achieved the top rank in India during the third phase, JSJB 3.0. In this phase, out of 79,775 registered structures, 77,719 have already been completed, establishing Chhattisgarh as the nation's leading state in rainwater harvesting execution.\n\nTop District Performers and Decline in Water-Scarce Blocks\nThe state's top position is driven by exceptional execution at the district level. Five districts from Chhattisgarh successfully earned places among the top 10 performing districts in India. These leading districts are Surajpur, Mahasamund, Balod, Baloda Bazar-Bhatapara, and Kabirdham. Driven by active involvement from rural residents, gram panchayats, and local community groups, these districts completed conservation projects rapidly. The cumulative impact of these efforts is already visible in regional groundwater hydrology. The number of water-deficient blocks in Chhattisgarh has dropped significantly from 26 down to 19. Additionally, five blocks previously designated in the critical water stress category are expected to recover and transition back into normal groundwater status.\n\nFour Key Policy Recommendations Submitted to the Centre\nTo make water conservation efforts more effective across India, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai submitted four policy recommendations to the central government during the summit. First, he recommended that every state should formulate its own customized 'Catch the Rain' plan tailored to its specific geography. Second, he proposed instituting 'State Water Awards' to encourage healthy competition among states. Third, he emphasized compulsory mapping of all water conservation structures across the country using BISAG-N technology. Fourth, he suggested holding mandatory quarterly review meetings chaired by the Chief Secretary in every state. Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao reiterated that Chhattisgarh is eager to share its successful experiences and community models with other states to strengthen national water security.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThe outstanding performance in water conservation will improve water availability in rural areas and ease irrigation challenges for farming.\n\n• In Chhattisgarh: Improved groundwater levels will ensure year-round irrigation water for farmers across 19 vulnerable blocks. This will boost crop yields and resolve domestic drinking water shortages in rural areas.\n• Across India: Adopting the 5 percent model in other states will facilitate low-cost rainwater harvesting in drought-prone regions. This will bring long-term agricultural stability to water-stressed areas nationwide.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Which state secured the first rank in Phase 3 of the Catch the Rain campaign?\nChhattisgarh secured the first position nationwide in Phase 3 (JSJB 3.0) of the Union Jal Shakti Ministry's Catch the Rain campaign.\n\n2. What is Chhattisgarh's 5 Percent Water Conservation Model?\nUnder this initiative, farmers voluntarily dedicate 5 percent of their land for building rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge structures.\n\n3. Which Chhattisgarh districts ranked among the top 10 in India?\nSurajpur, Mahasamund, Balod, Baloda Bazar-Bhatapara, and Kabirdham districts ranked among the top 10 nationally.\n\n4. What measurable hydrological impact has occurred in Chhattisgarh?\nThe number of water-scarce blocks reduced from 26 to 19, and 5 critical blocks are expected to recover to normal groundwater levels.\n\n5. What recommendations were made by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai?\nHe proposed state-specific Catch the Rain plans, State Water Awards, digital mapping via BISAG-N, and quarterly Chief Secretary level reviews.\n\nInspiration & Lessons\nChhattisgarh's water management initiative demonstrates that grassroots community action combined with governance can solve pressing natural resource challenges.\n\n• Power of Community Action: Dedicating a small fraction of private resources, like 5 percent of farmland, can yield major ecological returns.\n• Empathetic Leadership: Valuing practical resource constraints based on ground experience leads to realistic and scalable policy outcomes.\n• Blending Technology with Local Efforts: Pairing community participation with digital tools like geo-tagging ensures efficiency and accountability.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/chhattisgarh/jala-snrakshana-men-chhattisgarh-bana-desha-ka-siramaura-catch-the-rain-abhiyana-ke-tisare-charana-men-hasila-kiya-pahala-sthana-26676",
  "category": "Chhattisgarh",
  "publishedAt": "2026-09-02",
  "tags": [
    "Chhattisgarh Water Conservation",
    "Catch the Rain",
    "Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari",
    "Vishnu Deo Sai",
    "Groundwater Recharge",
    "5 Percent Model",
    "Ministry of Jal Shakti"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}