Due to the poorest condition of water in the history of India, millions of people are facing serious threats to their lives. So, to deal with this situation, the Indian Government decided to initiate Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA), which is a campaign for the conservation and security of water. This campaign was launched on July 1st, 2019.
This campaign was initiated with citizens’ help all through the monsoon season, from July 1st, 2019, to Sept. 15th, 2019. Phase 2 will operate from October 1st, 2019, to 30th November 2019 for States getting the North East pulling back monsoons.
The campaign’s spotlight was on water-emphasized blocks and districts—the scheme targets offering drinking water to each household as a preference and in a feasible way.
What Are the Targets of Jal Shakti Abhiyan?
- The campaign targets digging rainwater by making artificial recharge formations, replenishing present ponds and water bodies, making additional water bodies, outlining check dams, and restoring wetlands and rivers prior to the commencement of the monsoon.
- It is also outlined to make a list of all water bodies in India by geo-tagging and employing this data to make scientific and data-related district-level water control plans.
- In the small run, the campaign would aim at unified requirements and water supply management at the regional level.
- In the long run, the government initiated the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) with a target to make sure the supply of piped water to all rural areas by 2024.
Although the government has kept more extensive plans to resolve the continuing critical water condition, there is an increased need to clarify JSA’s results and aims in a concrete and achievable way. Still, in the nonexistence of targets, the point of convergence on programs can be restricted as one cannot confirm the duration of work to be completed, preference areas to be included, and how to really evaluate performance.
Interference Areas of Jal Shakti Abhiyan
- Restoration of conventional and different water bodies or tanks.
- Conservation of water and rainwater harvesting.
- Development of watershed.
- Recharge and reuse arrangements.
- In-depth afforestation.
- Growth of block and district water control plans (To be incorporated with the district irrigation programs).
- In city areas, plans or approvals with time-constrained targets need to be made for the reuse of wastewater for agricultural and industrial purposes. Communities to pass by-regulations for the segregation of black and grey water.
- Melas of Krishi Vigyan Kendra endorses successful water usage for irrigation purposes and a better selection of crops for saving water.
- 3D Contour Maps for villages may be developed and made available to successfully plan interferences.
Implementing Agency of Jal Shakti Abhiyan
TheJal Shakti Abhiyan is a collective effort of diverse Ministries of the Indian and State Governments, interdependent by the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department.
The officers’ team from the central government observed and worked with district authorities in 1592 to stress water blocks in 256 districts to make sure of 5 essential water conservation interferences. These were:
- Conservation of water and rainwater harvesting.
- Renewal of water bodies.
- Reuse and borewell recharge planning.
- Development of watersheds.
- Comprehensive forestry.
Large-scale interaction campaigns have also been outlined together with the Jal Shakti Abhiyan, including the mass movement of diverse groups such as school and college students, Self Help Groups, swachhagrahis, members of Panchayati Raj Institution, defense personnel, youth groups like NYKS/NSS/NCC, pensioners and ex-servicemen, among others.
Wastewater, a consideration
As long as the focus is remained on making or renewing wastewater and rainwater harvesting structures, one requires putting in place policy rules for controlled water usage and saving preventions, for example, water cost and metering. With the availability of piped water supply in houses, water usage is anticipated to grow in rural regions, directing to more wastewater production.
There is a significant requirement for wastewater regulation for rural and urban areas that endorse water use efficacy, reuse, and recycling, while also assuring financial impulse and viability of water utilities.
Final Words
Jal Shakti Abhiyan shows the government’s fruitful intent at water saving through peoples’ cooperation, evaluations highlighted in this post can make it more effective. Water as a method of primary survival, JSA cannot withdraw in attaining actionable, timely, and high-quality outcomes.
Read Also: What is Government’s latest initiative Jal Shakti Abhiyan?
