Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a national model in water conservation, setting an example for other states.
Several districts of the state performed exceptionally well in the recently held Sixth National Water Awards.
In the northern region, Mirzapur, Varanasi, and Jalaun secured the first, second, and third prizes, respectively.
The Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation received the third prize in the ‘Jal Sanchay Janbhagidari’ category.
Local water conservation initiatives have received national recognition. Under the Amrit Mission for water conservation and storage, the Uttar Pradesh government rapidly implemented reservoir restoration and rainwater harvesting schemes in 75 districts, along with sanitation measures, officials said on Friday.
The restoration of more than 52,000 reservoirs, ponds, and tank systems has improved rural water levels. The state has also implemented the Har Ghar Jal scheme in the Bundelkhand and Vindhya regions. Social awareness campaigns are being carried out under the Jal Sanvardhan Jan Andolan to address the water crisis.
Under Amrit Mission, reservoir restoration and beautification were completed in 75 districts. Under Amrit Mission 2.0, large-scale infrastructure has been developed in all districts to ensure water security in urban areas. More than 52,000 ponds and reservoirs were renovated, significantly improving groundwater levels in rural regions.
According to government reports, water availability increased in more than 22,000 water structures. As many as 95 new projects have been approved to strengthen the canal system.
Upon completion, these projects will restore irrigation capacity across 36,000 hectares, directly benefiting 9 lakh farmers and rural residents. Additionally, 273 hectares of departmental government land will be protected.
Sensor-based water metering devices are being used to monitor groundwater extraction. Efforts are also underway to recharge groundwater across the state.
Under this initiative, more than 42,000 structures including rainwater harvesting systems and check dams have been built, contributing to a 20 percent increase in groundwater recharge.
Under the Social Awareness (Vidyalaya Abhiyan) campaign, the Yogi government implemented water conservation initiatives in more than 1.20 lakh schools and over 50,000 Anganwadi centres. Through this, the Jal Andolan is being strengthened with active participation from children and youth.
The work done by the double-engine government to provide water to every household has set new standards. Mirzapur, in particular, achieved remarkable success through dedicated efforts in water conservation and storage under the leadership of the Yogi government and the supervision of the local administration. It was declared the best district in the North Zone in the awards announced by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Mirzapur has 12 development blocks and 809 gram panchayats. Previously, declining water levels resulted in drought-like conditions, with hand pumps and wells drying up during summers. Low rainfall worsened the groundwater situation, deepening the irrigation crisis. To address this, a special rainwater harvesting campaign was launched on February 24, 2024.
The Lohandi River, which is 15 km long and flows through 11 gram panchayats, was revived. Work on 10.63 km of the river was carried out under MNREGA, while the remaining stretch was rejuvenated through public participation.
The Bhoogarbh Jal Vibhag constructed large rainwater harvesting systems at the Government Industrial Training Institute and GIC. Promoting micro-irrigation, sprinkler systems were installed over 3,894 hectares within a year. Previously dried-up hand pumps have started functioning again. Groundwater levels increased by an average of 1 metre in six development blocks.
In villages like Chitpur and Gopalpur along the Lohandi River, groundwater levels rose by 2.27 metres, reviving dry wells and borewells. Water availability has improved across all development blocks through the installation of micro-irrigation systems on 3,894 hectares.
A total of 156 agricultural ponds and 4 new check dams have provided irrigation facilities to farmers, boosting crop production. The initiative generated 4.23 lakh person-days of employment, with 52% participation by women. Formerly dry borewells are now replenished, ensuring year-round water availability in villages.
The 83 km-long Noon River, originating from Satoh village in the Koch tehsil area of Jalaun district, had been dry and polluted for a long time. The river was revitalized through community participation and local administrative efforts, including the construction of check dams and plantation drives. The rejuvenated river is now being used for irrigation.
Jalaun district received the third prize in the ‘Jal Sanrakshan’ category for North India for its innovative water conservation initiatives. The award was presented to Jalaun District Magistrate Rajesh Kumar Pandey by President Droupadi Murmu. The Har Ghar Jal Yojana has also shown effective results in the district.