In a monumental push towards water security, India has completed over 3.96 million artificial groundwater recharge and rainwater harvesting structures under the ‘Catch the Rain’ initiative. Launched in September 2024, this campaign emphasizes public participation to combat depleting groundwater levels across the nation.
The initiative focuses on vital techniques such as rainwater harvesting, aquifer replenishment, borewell recharging, and recharge shafts. These efforts aim to ensure a sustainable water future by elevating groundwater tables and preventing scarcity in the years ahead.
A comprehensive Groundwater Artificial Recharge Master Plan guides these activities, tailoring recharge methods to diverse geographical regions. The ambitious target is to construct nearly 14.2 million such structures nationwide, potentially recharging about 185 billion cubic meters of groundwater.
Groundwater forms the backbone of India’s water security, supporting agriculture, drinking water supply, and ecological balance. Over-extraction, contamination, and climate change have intensified pressures on this vital resource, making sustainable management imperative.
To address this, the government has rolled out a multi-pronged strategy involving policy reforms, scientific assessments, infrastructure development, and community engagement. Under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, over 43,000 groundwater monitoring stations, 712 Jal Shakti Kendras, and 53,264 Atal Jal Quality Testing Centers are operational.
The Atal Bhujal Yojana, launched on December 25, 2019, promotes community-led groundwater management in water-stressed states like Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. It has ensured efficient water use across more than 668,000 hectares, backed by a Rs 6,000 crore investment over five years.
Complementing this is the Mission Amrit Sarovar, initiated in April 2022, which mandates building at least one pond per district, each spanning a minimum of one acre and capable of storing 10,000 cubic meters of water. Over 68,000 such ponds have been completed.
Initiatives like the Model Groundwater Bill, Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Catch the Rain, the 2020 Master Plan, Atal Bhujal, and Mission Amrit Sarovar collectively fortify groundwater conservation, monitoring, and optimal utilization. The Model Bill has been adopted by 21 states and union territories, including Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.
Through continuous dialogues, seminars, and conferences with states, the central government is championing prudent groundwater use. Amid rising water crises, these measures underscore the critical role of groundwater management in tackling climate change and fostering sustainable development.
