PM launched Jal Shakti Abhiyan: ‘Catch the Rain’ campaign

What is the News?

The Prime Minister has launched the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain campaign on World Water Day.

About Catch the Rain Campaign:

• Catch the Rain is a Jan Andolan campaign. It aims to take water conservation at the grass-roots level through people’s participation. The campaign intends to accelerate water conservation across the country.
• Aim: To encourage all stakeholders to create rainwater harvesting structures(RWHS). As it is suitable for the climatic conditions and subsoil strata. These structures will ensure the proper storage of rainwater.
• Tag line: Catch the rain, where it falls, when it falls.
• Implementation: The campaign will be implemented by the National Water Mission(NWM), Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• Coverage: The campaign will take place across the country, in both rural and urban areas. It will be implemented from March 22 to November 30 (the pre-monsoon and monsoon period) in the country.

Key activities under the Catch the Rain Campaign:

The Catch the Rain Campaign will include certain key activities like,

• Firstly, removal of encroachments and desilting of tanks. This will increase rainwater storage capacity.
• Secondly, the campaign includes drives to make water harvesting pits, rooftop RWHS and check dams.
• Thirdly, removal of obstructions in the channels bringing water from the catchment areas.
• Fourthly, repairs to traditional Water Harvesting Systems(WHS) like step-wells. Further, using defunct bore-wells and old wells to put the water back to aquifers.
• Finally, states have been requested to open Rain Centers in each district. These Rain Centres will act as a technical guidance centre in RWHS.

About World Water Day:

• World Water Day is being observed on 22 March by the United Nations (UN).
• Aim: To raise awareness about people living without access to safe water and tackle the global water crisis.
• Theme of world water day 2021: “Valuing Water”

Source: PIB