Telangana has achieved a remarkable milestone, securing the top spot in the national Jal Sanchai Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) 1.0 rankings for rainwater conservation, as announced by the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti. The state has outshone others like Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, which secured the second and third positions, respectively.
Innovative Rainwater Harvesting Methods
During the 2024-25 period, Telangana executed an impressive 5,20,362 rainwater harvesting projects, the highest number nationwide. These comprehensive efforts included a variety of crucial initiatives such as constructing check dams, developing soak pits, implementing rooftop rainwater harvesting systems, recharging borewells, building sub-surface dykes, and creating farm ponds and percolation tanks.
This monumental initiative was a collaborative success, primarily driven by the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Department, with vital support from numerous other government departments, dedicated voluntary organizations, and proactive individuals across the state.
Adding to the state’s pride, eight districts within Telangana also received special national recognition for their outstanding contributions. Adilabad, Nalgonda, and Mancherial districts were each awarded ₹2 crore, while Warangal, Nirmal, and Jangaon received ₹1 crore each. Bhadradri Kothagudem and Mahabubnagar districts were also honored with ₹25 lakh each for their significant efforts.
Panchayat Raj and Rural Development (PR&RD) Minister Danasari Anasuya (Seethakka) expressed immense satisfaction with this achievement. She extended her heartfelt congratulations to Principal Secretary N. Sridhar, Director G. Srujana, District Collectors, and all officials involved. The Minister highlighted that this campaign, strategically designed with three core objectives—enhancing groundwater levels, ensuring the efficient use of rainwater, and fostering strong community participation—serves as yet another shining example from Telangana on implementing sustainable environmental practices for the entire nation.
The JSJB initiative, originally launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Surat, Gujarat, aims to tackle India’s pressing water scarcity issues. The country faces a significant challenge, with 18% of the global population relying on just 4% of the world’s water resources, and an alarming 256 districts struggling with “critical” or “over-exploited” groundwater reserves. Telangana’s success provides a hopeful model for addressing this national crisis.