Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Chhattisgarh Leads India’s Catch the Rain Water Conservation Campaign
Chhattisgarh built many structures to save rainwater and refill underground water supplies.
It ranked first in India during the third phase of a national water-conservation campaign.
The state registered 79,775 structures and completed 77,719 of them.
Five Chhattisgarh districts also ranked among the country’s top 10.
Farmers, village councils and local water volunteers helped with the work.
The state is also repairing traditional water sources and tracking structures using mapping and monitoring.
Officials said the number of water-stressed blocks fell from 26 to 19.
The chief minister asked every state to create a water plan suited to its own geography and rainfall.
Chhattisgarh ranked first nationally in the third phase of the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari campaign.
The state registered 79,775 water structures and completed 77,719 under JSJB 3.0.
Five districts—Surajpur, Mahasamund, Balod, Balodabazar and Kabirdham—placed among India’s top 10.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai presented the state’s community-led model at a New Delhi summit.
Sai proposed state-specific Catch the Rain plans, State Water Awards and quarterly progress reviews.
- Who
- The Chhattisgarh government, led by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, with participation from local communities; Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao also presented details.
- What
- Chhattisgarh ranked first in the third phase of the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari and Catch the Rain campaigns after completing 77,719 water-conservation structures.
- When
- The results and model were presented at a Ministry of Jal Shakti departmental summit held on Wednesday; the report concerns the campaign’s third phase.
- Where
- The summit was held in New Delhi, while the conservation work took place across Chhattisgarh.
- Why
- The campaign aims to retain rainwater, reduce runoff, recharge groundwater and protect drinking-water sources.
- National ranking
- Chhattisgarh ranked first in JSJB 3.0.
- Structures registered
- 79,775 water structures were registered under JSJB 3.0.
- Structures completed
- 77,719 structures were completed under JSJB 3.0.
- Top districts
- Surajpur, Mahasamund, Balod, Balodabazar and Kabirdham ranked among India’s top 10 districts.
- Earlier performance
- Chhattisgarh ranked second in JSJB 1.0 and JSJB 2.0.
- Water-stressed blocks
- The number of water-stressed blocks declined from 26 to 19.
- Policy proposal
- The chief minister proposed state-specific Catch the Rain plans and quarterly reviews led by chief secretaries.
