4.4.2. Jal Kranti Abhiyan

Water is a recyclable resource but its availability is limited and the gap between supply and demand will be widening over time. Climate change at the global scale will be creating water stress conditions in many regions of the world. India has a unique situation of high population growth and rapid economic development with high water demand.

The introduction to the Jal Kranti Abhiyan emphasizes that water is an essential yet limited resource. As the population grows and the economy develops, the demand for water increases, creating stress on available water supplies. Climate change further complicates this situation by impacting the patterns of rainfall and water availability, leading to potential shortages.

Think of water as a bank account. If you keep withdrawing more money without depositing, eventually you will run out, just like how rising demand and climatic factors can dry up our water resources.

The Jal Kranti Abhiyan launched by the Government of India in 2015–16 aims to ensure water security through per capita availability of water in the country. People in different regions of India had practised the traditional knowledge of water conservation and management to ensure water availability.

The primary goal of the Jal Kranti Abhiyan is to secure a sustainable water supply for all citizens. By implementing traditional water conservation methods that have been used by various communities, the initiative seeks to enhance water availability across different regions in India.

Imagine a community that has been collecting rainwater in cisterns for generations. The Jal Kranti Abhiyan aims to revive and incorporate such time-tested practices into modern strategies, creating a blend of old and new to ensure everyone has access to water.

The following activities have been proposed under the Jal Kranti Abhiyan: 1. Selection of one water stressed village in each 672 districts of the country to create a ‘Jal Gram’. 2. Identification of model command area of about 1000 hectares in different parts of the country. 3. Abatement of pollution: water conservation and artificial recharge, reducing groundwater pollution, and construction of arsenic-free wells in selected areas of the country. 4. Creating mass awareness through social media, radio, TV, print media, poster and essay writing competitions in schools.

The Jal Kranti Abhiyan includes several strategies to enhance water management. Key proposals involve designating water-stressed villages as ‘Jal Grams’, developing model command areas, and addressing pollution through conservation efforts. Additionally, raising awareness through various media is crucial to educate the public about the importance of water conservation.

Think of it like a school project where each student is given a task to improve the school’s garden. By appointing leaders (villages) for this garden, establishing areas (command areas) for best practices, and holding educational campaigns about how to care for plants (water), the whole school can thrive. That’s how the Jal Kranti Abhiyan works for water security.

Jal Kranti Abhiyan is designed to provide livelihood and food security through water security.

This initiative is not just about managing water supplies but also about creating job opportunities and securing food sources for communities. By ensuring reliable access to water, local agriculture can thrive, which in turn supports livelihoods and food production.

Imagine a farmer who struggles because of irregular rainfall. By ensuring that water is available consistently, the farmer can grow more crops and provide for their family and community, much like how water security leads to a stronger economy.

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