
Tribal dominated Gadchiroli sets example by creating a record water storage: Maha CM
The district has made unprecedented progress in the field of water conservation under the Silt-Free Dam Silt-Free Shivar Abhiyan. This year, the monsoon started 20 days earlier, which reduced the duration of the work, but the Chief Minister said the district has succeeded in creating a record water storage due to the effective coordination and consistent efforts of the district administration.
The Chief Minister, who reviewed the water storage status in the Gadchiroli district, praised this achievement and said that the success achieved by the district in the field of water conservation is inspiring for the entire Maharashtra. This is a strong step towards water security in rural areas.
'Water reservoirs have been constructed in 97 villages of Gadchiroli district, and 64.5 crore litres of water storage capacity has been created in the year 2025-26. This has ensured the availability of water for thousands of citizens. The special thing is that in this same year, as many as 6,44,601 cubic meters of silt were removed, which is eight times more than the combined performance of the previous two years. Various social organisations and associations have also made important contributions in these works,' said the Chief Minister.
He said that the district administration, especially the Gadchiroli District Collector, has a big role in this achievement.
'From Gadchiroli's success, it is clear that if the district administration, Gram Panchayat, local bodies and the public work together, no goal is impossible to achieve. Gadchiroli district has shown that a big leap can be taken for water security with a planned approach and technical guidance. After studying this successful model, such initiatives will be implemented throughout the state,' he added.
He also expressed his belief that agriculture, life and environment will get stability through water conservation.
On July 23, Fadnavis inaugurated and commissioned a slew of projects besides launching a plantation initiative in Gadchiroli. He planted a sapling in Gadchiroli, marking the launch of 'Harit Maharashtra, Samruddha Maharashtra', a campaign to plant 1 crore trees in the district.
'This is more than a plantation drive; it's a commitment to preserving nature while driving development rooted in sustainability. Gadchiroli, with its rich forest cover, plays a key role in maintaining Maharashtra's ecological balance. Between 2014 and 2019, 50 crore trees were planted across the state,' he said.
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Hans India
19 hours ago
- Hans India
Tribal dominated Gadchiroli sets example by creating a record water storage: Maha CM
Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said that tribal dominated Gadchiroli district has set an example for the entire state by creating a record water storage in a short period of time. The district has made unprecedented progress in the field of water conservation under the Silt-Free Dam Silt-Free Shivar Abhiyan. This year, the monsoon started 20 days earlier, which reduced the duration of the work, but the Chief Minister said the district has succeeded in creating a record water storage due to the effective coordination and consistent efforts of the district administration. The Chief Minister, who reviewed the water storage status in the Gadchiroli district, praised this achievement and said that the success achieved by the district in the field of water conservation is inspiring for the entire Maharashtra. This is a strong step towards water security in rural areas. 'Water reservoirs have been constructed in 97 villages of Gadchiroli district, and 64.5 crore litres of water storage capacity has been created in the year 2025-26. This has ensured the availability of water for thousands of citizens. The special thing is that in this same year, as many as 6,44,601 cubic meters of silt were removed, which is eight times more than the combined performance of the previous two years. Various social organisations and associations have also made important contributions in these works,' said the Chief Minister. He said that the district administration, especially the Gadchiroli District Collector, has a big role in this achievement. 'From Gadchiroli's success, it is clear that if the district administration, Gram Panchayat, local bodies and the public work together, no goal is impossible to achieve. Gadchiroli district has shown that a big leap can be taken for water security with a planned approach and technical guidance. After studying this successful model, such initiatives will be implemented throughout the state,' he added. He also expressed his belief that agriculture, life and environment will get stability through water conservation. On July 23, Fadnavis inaugurated and commissioned a slew of projects besides launching a plantation initiative in Gadchiroli. He planted a sapling in Gadchiroli, marking the launch of 'Harit Maharashtra, Samruddha Maharashtra', a campaign to plant 1 crore trees in the district. 'This is more than a plantation drive; it's a commitment to preserving nature while driving development rooted in sustainability. Gadchiroli, with its rich forest cover, plays a key role in maintaining Maharashtra's ecological balance. Between 2014 and 2019, 50 crore trees were planted across the state,' he said.


The Hindu
3 days ago
- The Hindu
Rejuvenating Rajasthan's water bodies: The story of Purani Nadi
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I used nearly 50% less chemical fertilisers and water, thanks to the moisture and fertility retained in the silt.' Jagdish also applied the silt around his fruit trees, blending it with compost. He says, 'There's a visible improvement in fruit size, colour, and yield especially in guava, papaya, and pomegranate. I feel more confident now to try new horticulture crops.' He is now experimenting with papaya, pomegranate, and Thai apple. Encouraged by this early success, the community pushed further, requesting an additional 5,000 cubic metres of desilting the next year to enhance year-round water retention. The community's proactive approach led to co-created design to protect and provide easy access to livestock. Today, over 900 residents and their livestock in Peelarama and the neighbouring village rely on this pond. Improved irrigation application of fertile silt has allowed a few farmers to shift from double to triple cropping near the waterbody. Women, who played an active role in the initiative, now gather at the pond for prayers and to ensure its ongoing sustenance. Peelarama's transformation is more than a local success story—it is a model for rural water stewardship. It demonstrates the power of community ownership, corporate social responsibility, and responsive local governance in tackling India's water crisis. The Rejuvenation of Waterbodies (RWB) Model: Enabling Water Security at scale The model is not Jaipur-specific and has in fact been successfully implemented across Rajasthan. Since 2021, organisations like ATECF, TCHFL, Indira Foundation, Caring Friends, NITI Aayog, local NGOs, and village communities have together rejuvenated over 1,100 waterbodies across 12 districts in Rajasthan – with 9% of the waterbodies rejuvenated under the NITI Aayog Aspiration Districts Programme. These efforts have added an estimated 1,191 crore litres of surface water storage (equivalent to over 10 lakh water tankers) and improved water access for nearly 1.7 million people in 1,700 villages. Around 2,000 farmers have carted and applied silt to their fields, turning previously barren land arable, improving yields, and increasing income. Nand Lal, a farmer from Shahabad village in Baran district, Rajasthan, shares: 'My 1.5-acre farmland was rocky and barren. After applying 50 trolleys of silt, I've grown coriander and expect at least ₹15,000 more in annual income, due to better yields.' This model is fundamentally community-led, cost-effective, and time-efficient. It focuses on reviving existing water bodies using machine-led desilting to increase surface storage and recharge groundwater where feasible. The model also leverages technology for site identification, prioritization, and real-time monitoring. 'There is immense potential to scale this work through public-private partnerships,' says Amrtha Kasturi Rangan, Head of the Water and Agriculture Vertical at A.T.E. Chandra Foundation. 'This initiative answers Hon'ble PM Narendra Modi's call to 'catch the rain, where it falls, when it falls' and could be replicated across Rajasthan's ~50,000 waterbodies, benefiting 26,000 villages and creating an additional 33,210 crore litres of surface water storage,' she adds. The pond today stands rejuvenated, thanks to a collaborative effort by the Community, Dhara Sansthan (local NGO), Tata Capital Housing Finance Limited (TCHFL) and A.T.E. Chandra Foundation (ATECF) between 2023-25, under a broader initiative to restore 194 waterbodies across seven blocks of Jaipur district. The Path Ahead: Realising Jal Suraksha through Jan Bhagidari With the launch of Mukhyamantri Jal Swavalamban Abhiyan (MJSA) 2.0, Rajasthan has a unique opportunity to scale this model. At a cost of ₹31 per cubic meter for excavation and with up to 60% savings through community-led silt transportation the economics are sound. Organizations like ATECF and Piramal Foundation are ready with the technical tools and expertise required to implement the model at scale. This model works successfully when implemented by the government as well. States like Maharashtra, and agencies like NITI Aayog, have already incorporated elements of this model into government schemes, emphasising community participation and technology-led monitoring. For Rajasthan, water security is not only an environmental concern—it is central to agricultural productivity, rural development, and economic resilience. The evidence is clear, the model is proven, and the resources are available. Peelarama's story shows what is possible when people and partnerships come together. If adopted across the state, Rajasthan can lead the way in achieving 'Jal Suraksha through Jan Bhagidari.' (transl. Water protection through people's participation) (Moumita Mukherjee is a Deputy Manager with the Water & Agriculture vertical at the A.T.E. Chandra Foundation)


Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
First batch of redeveloped BDD chawls to handed over by August 15
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