Jaipur: Rajasthan has once again earned national recognition for its community-led water conservation efforts, receiving the Water Conservation Public Participation Award for the third time. The state secured third place among the best-performing states in the country, marking another milestone in its long-standing focus on sustainable water management.
The award was presented during a ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on Tuesday. President Droupadi Murmu, Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil, Minister of State V. Somanna, and Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Chaudhary jointly conferred the honour. Accepting the award on behalf of the state was Bhuvan Bhaskar, Additional Secretary and Chief Engineer of the Water Resources Department.
Rajasthan’s recognition was complemented by outstanding district-level achievements. Barmer district secured the first rank nationally under the “Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 1.0” category for its exemplary work in promoting water conservation practices. District officials were acknowledged for implementing effective on-ground initiatives that encouraged local participation and improved water storage outcomes.
In addition to Barmer, eight other districts—Bhilwara, Jaipur, Udaipur, Alwar, Baran, Dungarpur, Chittorgarh and Sikar—were felicitated for their strong contributions to water stewardship. These recognitions highlighted the state’s widespread participation in programmes aimed at creating long-term water security.
Speaking on the achievement, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma congratulated the people and officials of Rajasthan, noting that the state continues to move forward with determination in the fields of water conservation and water harvesting. He said extensive community involvement has played a crucial role in strengthening water resource management across the region.
The Chief Minister highlighted major initiatives such as the Vande Ganga Jal Sanrakshan–Jan Abhiyan and the Karmabhoomi to Matribhoomi Abhiyan, crediting them for unprecedented progress in water storage and groundwater recharge. Under these campaigns, large-scale public participation has accelerated the construction, revival and maintenance of water bodies across urban and rural areas.
Officials noted that Rajasthan’s approach combines community mobilisation with technical interventions to address chronic water scarcity. Local self-help groups, panchayats and civil society organisations have been encouraged to collaborate on the planning and execution of conservation projects. Activities such as desilting ponds, restoring traditional water structures, building check dams and adopting modern harvesting techniques have significantly improved water availability in several districts.
The state’s success underlines the impact of structured public participation in resolving longstanding ecological challenges. District administrations have been working closely with communities to identify local needs, create awareness and ensure the sustainability of water-related projects. The recognitions given to nine districts reflect the scale and effectiveness of these decentralised efforts.
Officials from the Water Resources Department said the award serves as motivation for Rajasthan to continue expanding its water security initiatives. With climate uncertainties and recurring droughts posing persistent threats, the state aims to intensify conservation efforts and strengthen grassroots engagement.
The ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan also highlighted the national importance of community-driven water management, with central leaders commending states that have adopted innovative practices and mobilised citizens to protect local water bodies.
For Rajasthan, this third-time honour reinforces its role as a leading contributor to India’s water conservation movement. State authorities expressed confidence that continued public participation and sustained administrative commitment will help further enhance groundwater levels, improve storage capacity and support long-term resilience against water shortages.
