Water Conservation Campaign Brings Hope To Botad
Newz Daddy Political Updates
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, many efforts have been made to make our state and country rich in water. Because of these efforts, today we are seeing success in the Water Conservation Campaign, said Union Jal Shakti Minister Shri C.R. Patil.
In recent years, the Government of India has launched many water-related missions like the Jal Shakti Abhiyan and Catch the Rain Campaign. These programs focus on rainwater harvesting, cleaning water bodies, and recharging groundwater. According to the Jal Shakti Ministry, these efforts have helped revive thousands of ponds and lakes across the country. Gujarat, which often faced drought in Saurashtra and Kutch, has benefited from these programs with better irrigation and drinking water supply.
On this occasion, foundation stones were laid for 1,485 works worth Rs. 198 lakh, and 1,094 works worth Rs. 347 lakh were inaugurated by the Union Minister.
Such projects usually include check dams, farm ponds, recharge wells, and village-level water harvesting structures. In Gujarat, the government has built over 1.25 lakh check dams in the past two decades, which have greatly improved groundwater levels. These new works will further strengthen the water network in Botad and nearby districts, directly helping farmers and villagers.
Union Minister Shri C.R. Patil said, “Saving water is the duty of every citizen. Slogans like ‘Water of the border should stay in the border, water of the village should stay in the village’ are very important in today’s global water crisis. Even small steps to save rainwater can bring big results when we work together. Rainwater should be stored and used whenever needed. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has made great progress in becoming water-rich. In Gujarat too, under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, the Water Conservation Campaign is moving forward strongly with the help of donors, administration, and local leaders.”
Experts say that local water storage reduces dependence on large dams and costly pipelines. Villages that store rainwater see better crop yields and fewer drinking water shortages. The slogan of keeping water in its region also matches the idea of Atmanirbhar Bharat, where local resources are used wisely.
He also said, “Through people’s participation, such works ensure water security for the future generation. This water conservation will increase irrigation for farming and help solve drinking water problems. Even on rooftops, we can store lakhs of litres of rainwater easily. In farms, too, structures should be made for rainwater storage. Earlier, Saurashtra had water scarcity, but due to everyone’s efforts, the situation has improved. Villagers should come together and start a movement to collect rainwater. Stored rainwater is also of very good quality. This campaign aims to store the maximum rainwater, recharge groundwater, increase irrigation capacity, and ensure long-term prosperity for farmers. This campaign will secure the future of the coming generations.”
In urban Gujarat, rooftop rainwater harvesting has been made compulsory in many cities, including Ahmedabad. Studies show that even a 100-square-meter roof can save around 60,000 litres of water each year. In rural areas, farm ponds and percolation tanks help farmers reduce their dependence on erratic monsoons. Such measures also ensure groundwater recharge, which is critical as India is the largest user of groundwater in the world.
On this occasion, Union Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs Smt. Nimuben Bambhaniya said, “Today in Botad, we are taking historic steps for water conservation. This is a proud day for all of us. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi started this campaign, and Union Minister Shri C.R. Patil has given it strong leadership. ‘Water is life’ – saving water is the duty of every citizen. By following the principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, we can ensure proper water management for a developed India. Everyone must decide to build small water harvesting structures in villages and towns, and store rainwater under the ‘Catch the Rain’ initiative.”
The 3R principle, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, is also part of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. India’s push for this principle ensures that wastewater is treated, rainwater is harvested, and unnecessary water use is reduced. Gujarat has already started community-led water recycling plants in some towns, which serve as models for other regions.
At the program, District Rural Development Agency Director Shri Bhargav Patel welcomed everyone, and Resident Deputy Collector Shri P.L. Jhankat gave the vote of thanks. A documentary film by the Jal Shakti Ministry was also shown.
Documentaries and awareness campaigns play a big role in educating villagers about simple but effective water-saving methods. In states like Gujarat and Rajasthan, street plays and short films are often used to inspire farmers and youth to take part in water-saving drives.
The event at Botad was attended by many leaders and officials including MP of Surendranagar Shri Chandu Sinhora, Botad District Panchayat President Smt. Jethiben Parmar, MLA of Gadhada; Shri Mahant Shambhunathji Tundiya, MLA of Dhandhuka; Shri Kalubhai Dabhi, National General Secretary of Kisan Morcha; Shri Babubhai Jebliya, local leaders Mayurbhai Patel, Paljibhai Parmar, Raghubhai Hubl, District Cooperative Purchase and Sale Union President Sureshbhai Godhani; and leading industrialists Veljibhai and Nanubhai Menpara. Senior officials also attended, including Botad District Collector Dr. Jinsi Roy, District Development Officer Shri Akshay Budania, Superintendent of Police Shri Chintan Teraiya, and Prant Officer Smt. Aarti Goswami.
The strong presence of elected leaders, officers, and industrialists shows how water conservation is not just a government effort but a joint responsibility. Gujarat has a tradition of Jan Bhagidari (people’s participation), which has made many projects successful. The Botad program is another step in this collective journey to secure water for all.
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