Lok Sabha Question No. 91 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-01-29
Subject: Status of Jal Shakti Abhiyan
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Tharaniventhan M S

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

## DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 91

ANSWERED ON 29.01.2026

## STATUS OF JAL SHAKTI ABHIYAN

## 91. SHRI THARANIVENTHAN M S:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a)  the  current  status  of  the  Jal  Shakti  Abhiyan  including  the  number  of  districts  and  villages  covered  in Tamil Nadu since its launch;

(b) the details of major outcomes and improvements recorded in water conservation, groundwater recharge and  watershed  management  under  the  said Abhiyan  in  Tamil  Nadu  including  Arani  Lok  Sabha Constituency;

(c) whether the Government has identified any challenges or bottlenecks faced by States in implementing the said Abhiyan effectively and if so, the details thereof; and

(d)  the  steps  being  taken  to  ensure  community  participation,  transparency  and  sustainable  water  resource management under the said Abhiyan?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

## ( SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY )

(a)  &  (b) Water  is  a  State  subject  and  the  Central  Government  supplements  the  efforts  of  the  States through  technical  and  financial  support.  Water  conservation  is  one  of  the  foremost  priorities  of  the Government. The Ministry of Jal Shakti implements Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) since 2019. JSA: CTR, with its sixth edition implemented in all the districts (rural as well as urban) of the country including the state of Tamil Nadu under the theme 'Jal Sanchay, Jan Bhagidari: Jan Jagrukta Ki Or', emphasizing community participation and water conservation awareness. The campaign emphasizes convergent financing and active community participation to ensure maximum impact. To achieve effective inter-sectoral convergence among Ministries for constructing artificial recharge structures, the Government has implemented a multi-pronged strategy that leverages collaboration, resource optimization and institutional coordination.

Under  the  campaign,  4,47,997  Water  Conservation  &  Rainwater  Harvesting  structures,  44,494 Renovation  of  traditional  water  bodies,  5,67,550  Reuse  and  Recharge  structures,  3,46,537  Watershed Development structures are reported by State Government of Tamil Nadu which inter alia includes 17,962 Water  Conservation  &  Rainwater  Harvesting  structures,  3,518  Renovation  of  traditional  water  bodies, 24,490  Reuse  and  Recharge  structures,  12,324  Watershed  Development  structures  in  Arani  Lok  Sabha

Constituency.  Also,  the  State  Government  of  Tamil  Nadu  reported  that  all  the  districts  and  12480 Panchayats are covered under Jal Sakti Abhiyan since inception.

(c)    ' Water'  being  a  State  subject,  the  aspects  related  to  water  resources  including  its  conservation  are studied, planned, funded and executed by the State Governments themselves as per their own resources and priorities.  The  State  Government  of  Tamil  Nadu  informed  that  it  has  successfully  implemented  Jal  Sakti Abhiyan  campaign  in  the state through inter-departmental coordination with various stake holder departments like water resources, rural development, agriculture and urban bodies.

(d) 'Water'  being  a  State  subject,  the  responsibility  for  the  conservation  and  management  of  water resources,  including  public  awareness  generation,  primarily  rests  with  the  State  Governments  and  local bodies. However, the Government of India has undertaken several initiatives including Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch  the  Rain  (JSA:  CTR)  across  the  country  to  sensitize  the  public  about  the  importance  of  water conservation and to promote behavioural changes in water usage patterns. Awareness generation is one of the  five  focused  interventions  of  JSA:  CTR  campaign  which  aims  at  spreading  public  awareness  about water-related challenges and  the importance  of conservation, with an emphasis  on  turning water conservation into a people's movement (Jan Andolan).

As  part  of  JSA:  CTR,  States  and  Union  Territories  have  been  requested  to  establish  Jal  Shakti Kendras  (JSKs)  in  all  districts.  These  Kendras  function  as  resource  and  knowledge  centers,  providing information on water-related issues, showcasing best practices, offering technical support, and serving as local  hubs  for  water  conservation  strategies.  712  Jal  Shakti  Kendras  have  been  established  across  the country including 38 JSKs in Tamil Nadu.

To further deepen public involvement, "Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari" (JSJB) initiative was launched in Surat,  Gujarat  on  6th  September  2024.  This  initiative  encourages  collective  action  by  communities,  civil society,  and  local  governments  to  implement  low-cost,  locally  appropriate  water  conservation  solutions under a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach. As part of this initiative, the National Water Mission (NWM) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, in collaboration with various agencies, organizes several community awareness programs to highlight the importance of water conservation.

To further enhance outreach, the National Water Mission (NWM) collaborated with the Department of Youth Affairs, leveraging the extensive network of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) and its youth clubs to mobilize grassroots participation in water conservation efforts under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR) campaign.

*****