What is Jal Shakti Abhiyan?
Historical Background
Key Points
12 points- 1.
The Abhiyan operates in two phases: the first phase focuses on water conservation and rainwater harvesting, while the second phase focuses on intensive afforestation and watershed development. This phased approach allows for a more targeted and effective implementation of the program.
- 2.
The Jal Shakti Abhiyan emphasizes citizen participation. Local communities are actively involved in planning, implementing, and monitoring water conservation activities. This ensures that the interventions are tailored to the specific needs and context of each region. For example, in Rajasthan, local communities have been involved in the renovation of traditional water harvesting structures called 'baoris'.
- 3.
The Abhiyan promotes the convergence of different government schemes, such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), and the Atal Bhujal Yojana. This convergence ensures that resources are used efficiently and that water conservation efforts are integrated with other development activities.
- 4.
A key component of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan is the creation of water conservation assets, such as check dams, ponds, and recharge wells. These assets help to increase groundwater levels and improve water availability. For example, in Maharashtra, the construction of farm ponds has helped farmers to cope with drought conditions.
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The Abhiyan uses a block-level approach, focusing on water-stressed blocks across the country. This allows for a more targeted and effective allocation of resources. The selection of these blocks is based on factors such as groundwater levels, rainfall patterns, and irrigation coverage.
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The Jal Shakti Abhiyan includes a strong focus on communication and awareness campaigns. These campaigns aim to educate people about the importance of water conservation and to promote water-saving practices. For example, the government has used social media and traditional media to disseminate information about water conservation.
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The Abhiyan promotes the use of water-efficient irrigation techniques, such as drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation. These techniques help to reduce water consumption in agriculture. For example, the government provides subsidies to farmers who adopt water-efficient irrigation techniques.
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The Jal Shakti Abhiyan monitors the progress of water conservation activities through a dedicated online portal. This portal allows for real-time tracking of key indicators, such as groundwater levels and the number of water conservation assets created. This helps to ensure that the program is achieving its intended outcomes.
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The Abhiyan encourages the reuse of treated wastewater for non-potable purposes, such as irrigation and industrial use. This helps to reduce the demand for fresh water. For example, many cities in India are now using treated wastewater for irrigation of parks and gardens.
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The Jal Shakti Abhiyan emphasizes the importance of water quality monitoring. Regular monitoring of water quality helps to identify and address pollution sources. For example, the government has launched a program to clean up polluted rivers and lakes.
- 11.
The Jal Shakti Abhiyan is different from the National Water Policy. The National Water Policy provides a broad framework for water resource management, while the JSA is a specific campaign focused on water conservation and rainwater harvesting. The JSA is a tool to implement the broader goals of the National Water Policy.
- 12.
The UPSC examiner often tests the interlinkages between the Jal Shakti Abhiyan and other government schemes, such as the Atal Bhujal Yojana and the Namami Gange Programme. Understanding these interlinkages is crucial for answering questions about water resource management in India.
Visual Insights
Jal Shakti Abhiyan - Key Components
Mind map showing the key components of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan, including water conservation, rainwater harvesting, and watershed development.
Jal Shakti Abhiyan
- ●Water Conservation & Rainwater Harvesting
- ●Renovation of Water Bodies
- ●Reuse of Water
- ●Watershed Development
Recent Developments
6 developmentsIn 2023, the Jal Shakti Ministry launched the 'Catch the Rain' campaign with the theme 'Source Sustainability for Drinking Water' to promote rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge.
In 2022, the government launched the Atal Bhujal Yojana, a scheme aimed at improving groundwater management in water-stressed areas, complementing the efforts of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan.
The NITI Aayog has been actively involved in monitoring and evaluating the progress of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan, providing recommendations for improvement.
Several states have launched their own initiatives to complement the Jal Shakti Abhiyan. For example, Andhra Pradesh has focused on interlinking of rivers to improve water availability.
The Jal Jeevan Mission, which aims to provide piped water to every rural household by 2024, is closely linked to the Jal Shakti Abhiyan, with the latter focusing on water conservation and source sustainability.
In 2024, the budget allocation for the Jal Shakti Ministry saw an increase, reflecting the government's continued commitment to water conservation and management.
This Concept in News
1 topicsFrequently Asked Questions
61. The Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) focuses on water-stressed blocks. How are these blocks identified, and why is this block-level approach important for UPSC?
Water-stressed blocks are identified based on factors like groundwater levels, rainfall patterns, and irrigation coverage. The block-level approach allows for targeted resource allocation and intervention, addressing specific local needs. UPSC tests this because it highlights the scheme's decentralized and data-driven approach, crucial for effective governance. Knowing the criteria helps differentiate JSA from more general water conservation efforts.
Exam Tip
Remember the three key factors: Groundwater, Rainfall, Irrigation. GRI. Think of 'Grip on water issues' to remember them.
2. Jal Shakti Abhiyan aims for convergence with other schemes like MGNREGA and PMKSY. What does 'convergence' actually mean in this context, and why is it crucial for the Abhiyan's success?
'Convergence' means aligning the objectives and resources of different schemes to achieve a common goal – in this case, water conservation. For example, MGNREGA funds can be used to create water conservation assets under JSA. This is crucial because it avoids duplication, ensures efficient resource utilization, and integrates water conservation with rural development. Without convergence, JSA would be a standalone effort, potentially less impactful.
Exam Tip
Think of 'convergence' as synergy. Scheme A + Scheme B > Scheme A alone. UPSC loves questions testing synergy between schemes.
3. The Jal Jeevan Mission and Jal Shakti Abhiyan are often mentioned together. What is the key distinction between their objectives, and why is understanding this difference important for the exam?
The Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide piped water to every rural household by 2024, focusing on water supply. The Jal Shakti Abhiyan focuses on water conservation and source sustainability to ensure there's enough water *to* supply. JSA is about increasing water availability; JJM is about delivering it. Confusing them is a common MCQ trap. UPSC tests your ability to differentiate between related schemes.
Exam Tip
JJM = 'Har Ghar Jal' (water to every home). JSA = 'Jal Hai to Kal Hai' (water is future). Focus on supply vs. sustainability.
4. Critics argue that the Jal Shakti Abhiyan focuses more on creating assets (like check dams) than on long-term behavioral changes in water usage. What's the strongest argument supporting this criticism, and how could the Abhiyan address it?
The strongest argument is that asset creation without sustained community engagement and education leads to underutilized or poorly maintained infrastructure. For example, a check dam built without community ownership might silt up quickly due to lack of maintenance. The Abhiyan could address this by mandating and funding long-term IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) campaigns alongside asset creation, ensuring community ownership and responsible water usage.
5. The NITI Aayog monitors and evaluates the Jal Shakti Abhiyan. What are some key performance indicators (KPIs) that NITI Aayog likely uses to assess the Abhiyan's effectiveness, and why are these KPIs important from an exam perspective?
NITI Aayog likely uses KPIs such as: 1) Increase in groundwater levels in water-stressed blocks, 2) Number of water conservation assets created and their utilization rate, 3) Percentage of households adopting water-efficient irrigation techniques, and 4) Improvement in water quality. These KPIs are important because they reflect the Abhiyan's tangible outcomes and demonstrate its impact on water security. UPSC often asks about the effectiveness of government schemes, requiring you to cite relevant data and indicators.
- •Increase in groundwater levels in water-stressed blocks
- •Number of water conservation assets created and their utilization rate
- •Percentage of households adopting water-efficient irrigation techniques
- •Improvement in water quality
Exam Tip
Remember the acronym 'GAUI' - Groundwater, Assets, Usage, Improvement. These are the key areas NITI Aayog focuses on.
6. Several states have launched their own water conservation initiatives complementing the Jal Shakti Abhiyan. Can you give an example of one such state-level initiative and explain how it strengthens the overall impact of the Abhiyan?
Andhra Pradesh has focused on interlinking of rivers to improve water availability, complementing the Jal Shakti Abhiyan. This strengthens the Abhiyan by addressing regional water imbalances and ensuring a more reliable water supply, especially in drought-prone areas. While JSA focuses on local conservation, interlinking tackles larger-scale distribution issues, creating a synergistic effect. This demonstrates how federal and state efforts can align for better water management.