India, July 23 -- As traditional water sources continue to dry up across the mountain state, Himachal Pradesh is drawing on centuries-old indigenous knowledge to restore abandoned and neglected water assets-a step that could reshape the future of water security for rural communities At a high-level review meeting on the implementation of the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB)-a Catch the Rain-2026 campaign-Principal Secretary, Jal Shakti, Abhishek Jain, the government will give top priority to the restoration, rehabilitation, and optimum utilisation of existing water conservation assets, including traditional water harvesting structures such as Baoris, Khatris, Kuls, and Pokhars.
Jain told district officers, including deputy commissioners, chief engineers, SEs, and nodal officers, to identify and implement small, need-based water conservation and groundwater recharge works at the village level. The effort must be made to involve Gram Panchayats and local communities, who have ancient knowledge about water conservation. "Proper documentation, geo-tagging, and timely uploading of all works on the designated JSJB Portal were emphasised to ensure transparent monitoring and reporting," he said. He directed the deputy commissioners to ensure active participation of Panchayati Raj institutions, urban local bodies, educational institutions, self-help groups, Mahila Mandals, Yuva Clubs, NGOs, and other community organisations so that the campaign could be transformed into a true Jan Bhagidari initiative. The campaign should be implemented through effective convergence with flagship programmes such as VB-G RAM G, Jal Jeevan Mission, PMKSY, AMRUT, CAMPA, Swachh Bharat Mission and other relevant state and centrally sponsored schemes to maximise the impact of water conservation activities.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.