Chhattisgarh Leads in Water Conservation through Public Participation: Water Resources Minister Kedar Kashyap
National Conference of State Water Ministers on Water Vision 2047
Chhattisgarh’s Deputy CM Arun Saw Discusses State’s Water Conservation Efforts
Raipur >> The second national conference of state water ministers under the Government of India’s ‘Water Vision 2047’ concluded in Udaipur. The conference focused on discussions around water conservation, water management, and future water policies. The session was chaired by Odisha’s Chief Minister Mohan Charan Manjhi, with Union Minister of Water Power C.R. Patil, Union Minister of State Chaudhary, Chhattisgarh’s Deputy CM Arun Saw, and other state water ministers in attendance.
During the event, Arun Saw, representing the Chhattisgarh government, provided detailed information about the state’s water conservation efforts. Water Resources Minister Kedar Kashyap shared the state’s initiatives in water management, stating that Chhattisgarh is at the forefront of water conservation in the country through public participation. Over 200,000 structures have been built in the state for water conservation and enhancement. He added that Chhattisgarh, the ancestral home of Lord Ram, is rich in natural resources and forests, with more than 44% of its land covered by forests.
Kashyap explained that due to the state’s varying terrain—mountainous and forested in the north and south, and plains in the center—water availability is uneven. To address this imbalance, water conservation and management have been prioritized.
He highlighted that under the Chhattisgarh Water Policy 2022, scientific and sustainable development of water resources is being ensured. Additionally, the Groundwater Act 2022 has been implemented, and the process of setting up a groundwater regulatory authority is underway. To tackle water scarcity arising from climate change, the government is prioritizing micro-irrigation, piped irrigation networks, watershed development, and the Jal-Jagar campaign.
Kashyap also mentioned that water supply to Raipur and Dhamtari is ensured from the Gangerel Dam and Ravishankar Reservoir. Under the ‘Water Vision 2047’, the state government has set significant goals: increasing irrigation capacity from 37.82% to 56%, expanding water storage from 7,900 million cubic meters to 16,000 million cubic meters, increasing industrial water use from 2,208 million cubic meters to 6,000 million cubic meters, and raising drinking water supply from 584 million cubic meters to 2,094 million cubic meters.
Concluding, Minister Kashyap emphasized the importance of sustainable use of water resources. He cited Rajasthan’s water bank model as an example and stressed the need to enhance community participation in water conservation. He appealed to all states to ensure sustainable and scientific management of water resources to avoid future water crises.
