☀️ Schemes
Over 1.55 crore rainwater structures built under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari
In 60 seconds: More than 1.55 crore structures to recharge and store rainwater have been built under the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari campaign, the Jal Shakti ministry said. A study of 23 lakh of them estimates they put 2.43 billion cubic metres of water back into the ground. This year the campaign was merged with Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain.
Why it matters
India has about 18% of the world's people but only about 4% of its fresh water. Recharging groundwater keeps wells and farms going in dry months.
Explain it simply
If a chai stall takes water from the tank every day but never refills it, it runs dry. Rainwater structures refill the underground tank.
The 3-minute read
What happened
The structures include recharge wells, check dams, farm ponds and rooftop harvesting systems that let rain soak into the ground instead of running off.
Background
The Central Ground Water Board's 2024 assessment puts India's groundwater extraction at about 60% of what is recharged each year, with about 11% of assessment units over-exploited.
How it works
The campaign works through local bodies, communities, companies and donors, which fund and build structures in their own areas. Merging it with Catch the Rain brings the efforts under one banner.
What's next
The ministry will keep adding structures before the next monsoon and track how much water they recharge.
What it means for you
Housing societies and schools can set up rooftop rainwater harvesting; many cities now require it in new buildings.
Key numbers
- 1.55 crore: Recharge and storage structures built
- 2.43 bn m³: Groundwater recharge (study of 23 lakh structures)
- ~60%: Share of recharge India extracts each year
Both sides
- Jal Shakti ministry: People's participation has built structures at a scale no single agency could.
- Water experts: Structures help only if they are maintained and farmers also use less water.
Key terms explained
- Recharge
- Putting water back into underground aquifers.
- Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari
- A campaign to build rainwater structures with community and industry help.
The story so far
- 2019: Jal Shakti Abhiyan launched. The Jal Shakti Abhiyan began in 2019 to conserve water in water-stressed districts. Its 'Catch the Rain' campaign followed in 2021.
- 2024: Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari launched. Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari was launched in 2024 to build rainwater recharge structures with the help of communities, industry and donors.
- Today: 1.55 crore rainwater structures built
Exam notes (UPSC, SSC, Banking, PSC)
- Water is a State subject (Entry 17 of the State List), subject to Entry 56 of the Union List on inter-State rivers.
- The Jal Shakti Abhiyan began in 2019; 'Catch the Rain' started in 2021.
- The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) assesses India's groundwater resources.
- Over-exploited means more groundwater is extracted than is naturally recharged.
Likely exam question: Water is a State subject. How do Central campaigns such as Catch the Rain work with States on groundwater?