“Today, at Shram Shakti Bhawan in New Delhi, the Hon’ble Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri CR Paatil, announced the winners of the 5th National Water Awards.”
The Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti has announced the 38 winners, including joint winners, for the 5th National Water Awards, 2023. The awards span nine categories: 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), and Best Civil Society.
In the Best State category, Odisha secured the first prize, Uttar Pradesh took the second position, and Gujarat and Puducherry jointly claimed the third position. Each winner will receive a citation, a trophy, and cash prizes in certain categories.
Hon'ble Minister of Jal Shakti Shri @CRPaatil Ji, along with MoS Shri @VSOMANNA_BJP Ji, & MoJS Secretary Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, presided over the Press Conference for 5th National Water Awards today, celebrating excellence in #waterconservation. #NWA2024 pic.twitter.com/YUdNE32kEg
— Dr Raj Bhushan Choudhary (@dr_rajbhushan) October 14, 2024
The award distribution ceremony for the 5th National Water Awards, 2023, will be held on October 22, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Plenary Hall, Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, will be the Chief Guest at the event.
Hon’ble Ministers of State for the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Shri Raj Bhushan Chaudhary and Shri V Somanna, Secretary of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Smt. Vini Mahajan, Secretary of the Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation, Smt. Debashree Mukherjee, OSD to the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Shri Ashok K.K. Meena, and other senior officials of the Ministry of Jal Shakti joined the Cabinet Minister in announcing the National Water Awards.
The Ministry of Jal Shakti is the central authority responsible for establishing policy frameworks and implementing programs for the development, preservation, and efficient management of water as a national asset. Under the guidance of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, the Ministry has launched a comprehensive campaign to raise awareness about water management and conservation nationwide.
To promote awareness and encourage best practices in water usage, the 1st National Water Awards were introduced in 2018 by the Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR). Subsequent awards were given in 2019, 2020, and 2022, with no awards in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For 2023, the 5th National Water Awards were launched on October 13, 2023, via the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). A total of 686 applications were received, scrutinized, and evaluated by a Jury Committee. The Central Water Commission (CWC) and Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) conducted ground truthing of the shortlisted applications. Based on these reports, 38 winners, including joint winners, were selected across nine categories for the 5th NWA, 2023.
The National Water Awards (NWAs) highlight the commendable efforts of individuals and organizations in achieving the government’s vision of a ‘Jal Samridh Bharat’. These awards aim to raise public awareness about the importance of water and motivate people to adopt best water usage practices. The event serves as an opportunity for individuals and organizations to strengthen partnerships and engage in water resource conservation and management activities.
The Ministry of Jal Shakti has launched several significant initiatives aimed at improving water management and conservation across India. Here are some notable ones:
Jal Shakti Abhiyan
Launched in 2019, this campaign focuses on water conservation and rainwater harvesting, particularly in water-stressed districts. The “Catch the Rain” campaign is a part of this initiative, encouraging rainwater harvesting.
Atal Bhujal Yojana
Namami Gange Programme
This flagship program is dedicated to cleaning and rejuvenating the Ganga River and its tributaries. It includes activities like sewage treatment, river surface cleaning, and rural sanitation.
National Aquifer Mapping Programme
This initiative aims to map aquifers to manage groundwater resources effectively. It helps in identifying areas for groundwater recharge and sustainable usage.
PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana
These initiatives collectively aim to address India’s water challenges by promoting efficient water use, conservation, and sustainable management practices.
The Namami Gange Programme, launched in 2014, has made significant strides in cleaning and rejuvenating the Ganga River. Here are some key achievements and ongoing efforts:
Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs)
Over 160 STPs have been established, with a focus on treating sewage before it enters the river. As of July 2023, STPs with a capacity of treating 2,665 million liters per day (MLD) are operational.
Reduction in Pollution
Efforts to reduce industrial pollution have led to stricter regulations and monitoring of industries along the Ganga. This has helped in reducing the discharge of untreated industrial effluents into the river.
Biodiversity Revival
The program has also focused on reviving the river’s biodiversity. There have been increased sightings of Ganga river dolphins and other wildlife, indicating an improvement in the river’s health.
Community Participation
Various initiatives have been launched to involve local communities in the conservation efforts. This includes awareness campaigns and activities to promote sustainable water use and conservation practices2.
The mission aims to increase the sewage treatment capacity to cover 60% of the sewage generated in the five major states along the river by 2026.
While there has been notable progress, challenges remain, particularly in ensuring that all sewage is treated before entering the river. Continuous efforts and investments are essential to achieve the long-term goals of the Namami Gange Programme.
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