Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai launched a booklet focusing on the ‘More Village, More Water’ campaign, recognizing its significant impact on water conservation. This campaign, initiated on Panchayati Raj Day, is fostering greater awareness and action in water conservation and is becoming a people’s movement. The Deputy Chief Minister and several other senior officials were also present at the release.
Sai highlighted the community-driven nature of the campaign, crediting active gram panchayats and voluntary public involvement. The booklet details the notable achievements and innovative practices in water conservation implemented by various panchayats in the state, serving as a resource for other regions.
The campaign prioritizes raising awareness through informational and educational programs. Information on groundwater levels is now displayed prominently on the walls of over 11,000 gram panchayat buildings. The Chief Minister acknowledged that gram panchayats are playing a crucial role by involving the public in water conservation efforts and predicted this initiative would expand in the future.
‘More Village, More Water’ uses various communication methods, including rallies and wall writings, to engage the general public. Training programs have equipped over 56,000 participants with skills in water management. The campaign also leverages GIS technology for planning and uses the Jaldoot app to monitor water levels. Structural projects like percolation tanks and recharge structures are being constructed to ensure long-term water conservation and recharge. These efforts by the gram panchayats are expected to establish Chhattisgarh as a national model in water conservation.