Under the ‘Vande Ganga Jal Sanrakshan Jan Abhiyan‘ (Vande Ganga Water Conservation Public Campaign), a special Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) workshop was organized by the District Administration and the District Industries and Commerce Center. The event, held at the Rajasthan International Center, was graced by the Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs, and Minister-in-charge of Jaipur District, Shri Jogaram Patel, as the Chief Guest.

Water: The Foundation of Life

In his address, Minister Jogaram Patel emphasized that water is the fundamental requirement for every living being on Earth, stating, “If there is water, there is tomorrow; if there is water, there is life.” Highlighting the collective responsibility to secure water for future generations, he appealed to entrepreneurs, farmers, social organizations, government officials, and the public to contribute wholeheartedly—physically, mentally, and financially—to this campaign. He urged everyone to transform this initiative into a mass movement to make Jaipur an leading district in water conservation. He also administered a pledge of water conservation to all attendees.

Appeal for Entrepreneurial Support

Presiding over the workshop, District Collector Shri Sandesh Nayak underscored the importance of water for all living beings and appealed to entrepreneurs to contribute generously to water conservation projects through their CSR funds. General Manager of the District Industries and Commerce Center, Subhash Sharma, in his welcome address, urged all entrepreneurs to participate actively and extensively in the campaign, which is being conducted from May 25 to June 5, 2026.

Expert Insights and Experiences

The workshop featured detailed discussions on the technical and practical aspects of water conservation:

• Scientific Perspective: Senior Groundwater Scientist Dr. Malendra Chauhan warned of the dangers posed by the over-extraction of groundwater.
• Technical Perspective: Gopal Prasad Jain, Superintending Engineer of the Watershed Department, explained the importance of saving every single drop of rainwater.
• Inspirational Experiences: Padma Shri Laxman Singh Lapodiya, famous as the ‘Magician of Water’, and Padma Shri Sundaram, known for his work on ‘Dharti Amrit’ (Nectar of the Earth), shared their successful experiences and ongoing efforts regarding water conservation, tree plantation, and environmental protection.

The event was attended by Dr. Anukriti Singh (General Manager, District Industries and Commerce Center, Jaipur City), V. Ketan Kumar (Deputy Conservator of Forests), Additional District Collectors Vinita Singh and Ashish Kumar, along with district entrepreneurs and representatives of social organizations.

Disclaimer: This news report is based on the official press release and information shared during the workshop. For details on activities related to the water conservation campaign and how to collaborate, please visit the official portal of the relevant District Industries Center.

The second general assembly meeting of the Rajasthan Forestry and Biodiversity Development Committee was held at the Government Secretariat, chaired by the Minister of Forest, Environment, and Climate Change, Shri Sanjay Sharma. The meeting focused on a comprehensive review of projects aimed at increasing the state’s green cover, strengthening water conservation, and ensuring the protection of biodiversity.

Project Performance and Future Roadmap

During the review of the Rajasthan Forestry and Biodiversity Development Project (RFBDP), the committee assessed the achievements of the 2023-24 and 2024-25 fiscal years:

• Significant Expansion in Plantation: The project saw a massive scale-up in plantation activities, expanding from 3,100 hectares in 2023-24 to 16,150 hectares in 2024-25.
• Water Security Measures: Efforts to boost water conservation have been accelerated through the construction of percolation tanks, check dams, and the restoration of traditional water bodies.
• Biodiversity Initiatives: Minister Sharma expressed satisfaction with the progress in wildlife protection, specifically highlighting the innovative measures taken for Gharial (crocodile) conservation.

Directives for Administrative and Financial Transparency

To enhance the efficiency and accountability of forest management, the following directives were issued:

• Financial Training: Village Forest Protection and Management Committees (VFPMC) are to be provided with intensive training on financial record-keeping to ensure transparency.
• Geo-Tagging for Verification: Additional Chief Secretary (Forests) Shri Anand Kumar mandated that every work approval order must include the GPS coordinates of the site to enable accurate physical verification of completed tasks.
• Digital Monitoring: To ensure effective evaluation, officials were instructed to develop an online portal for the monitoring of ongoing projects, accessible at the Deputy Conservator and Chief Conservator of Forests levels.
• Standardized Documentation: A standardized proforma booklet is to be prepared and distributed to VFPMC/EDC committees to maintain uniform financial records.

Community Participation

Minister Sanjay Sharma emphasized that environmental conservation is a collaborative effort. He highlighted the importance of “Entry Point Activities” designed to ensure active participation from local communities in forest management, noting that the involvement of local stakeholders is essential for the long-term success of these environmental initiatives.

Disclaimer: This report is based on the official press release issued by the Government of Rajasthan. For the latest government notifications and detailed project reports regarding forestry and biodiversity, please refer to the official website of the Department of Environment and Forests, Rajasthan.

The district-level phase of the “Vande Ganga Water Conservation Jan Abhiyan-2026” was inaugurated at the historic Triveni Sangam in Bhilwara. The event was held under the distinguished presence of Deputy Chief Minister and District In-charge Minister, Shri Premchand Bairwa. Acting on the call of Chief Minister Shri Bhajanlal Sharma, this state-wide campaign is running from May 25 to June 5, 2026, with the primary goal of transforming water conservation and harvesting into a robust mass movement.

Traditional Inauguration and Environmental Focus

The district-level program commenced with Vedic chanting, traditional water worship (Jal Pujan), a ceremonial Kalash Yatra, and a ritualistic Jalabhishek. Following these observances, Deputy CM Bairwa participated in a Peepal Pujan and led a tree plantation drive, underscoring the government’s commitment to environmental preservation.

Water: The Essence of Culture and Life

In his address, Deputy CM Bairwa highlighted Rajasthan’s historical and cultural relationship with nature:

• Cultural Legacy: He noted that Rajasthan is not just a land of warriors, but a region that has nurtured a deep-seated culture of environmental protection. For centuries, the people of this land have valued every drop of water, constructing step-wells (bawris), ponds, and wells to ensure water security for future generations.
• Life Symbolism: He emphasized that in Indian culture, water is not merely a resource but a symbol of life, culture, and nature itself.

Campaign Objectives and Strategy

The campaign aims to tackle the global challenge of water scarcity through active public participation. Over the next 10 days, various state government departments will execute several key activities:

• Pre-Monsoon Preparedness: Promoting rainwater harvesting and constructing new water structures.
• Restoration: Cleaning and reviving traditional water bodies and sources.
• Green Rajasthan: Accelerating the “Haryalo Rajasthan” tree plantation mega-campaign.

Deputy CM Bairwa administered a pledge to the gathered citizens, urging them to prioritize water harvesting and conservation. He reaffirmed that the state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, is continuously working to conserve rivers and improve the groundwater table, calling upon every citizen to treat water conservation as a personal responsibility.

Disclaimer: This news report is based on the official press release issued by the government. For specific details on local activities or to participate in the ongoing campaign, please contact your respective district administration or local panchayat office.

In a decisive move to protect the fragile ecosystem of the National Chambal Ghariyal Sanctuary, the Rajasthan Police has intensified its campaign against the illegal mining, storage, and transportation of river sand. Following directives from the Director General of Police, Rajeev Kumar Sharma, and reinforced by recent mandates from the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the police have adopted a ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy, significantly expanding the scope of their operations since early 2025.

Campaign Performance and Key Statistics (Jan 2025 – April 2026)

Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), V.K. Singh, reported that the coordinated efforts of the Dholpur and Karauli district police have resulted in a record 392 criminal cases registered within the sanctuary’s coastal regions. The efficiency of the investigations is evident, with 342 charge sheets already filed before the courts, while investigations into the remaining cases are proceeding rapidly.

Strategic Shift: Targeting the Organised Network

To dismantle the organized syndicate behind the illegal sand trade, the police have implemented a robust new strategy:

• Liability of Vehicle Owners: Moving beyond merely detaining tractor drivers, the police are now naming registered vehicle owners as co-accused. To date, 195 cases have involved the arrest of both drivers and the actual vehicle owners.
• Targeting Repeat Offenders: Data analysis reveals that among those arrested since 2024, 70 individuals are repeat offenders who have been repeatedly involved in this illicit trade.

District-Level Enforcement Highlights

1. Dholpur District Police

Under the leadership of SP Vikas Sangwan, Dholpur has become a focal point of enforcement:

• Cases: 353 criminal cases registered since early 2025, with 306 charge sheets filed.
• Severe Penalties: In 37 serious cases, police have invoked Section 112(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) to address organized crime.
• Property Attachment: To strike at the financial roots of the mafia, police have filed 3 petitions under Section 107 BNS for the attachment of assets acquired through illegal gains, with one court-ordered attachment already executed.

2. Karauli District Police

According to the report by SP Lokesh Sonwal:

• Impact: Since 2023, 76 cases have been registered, leading to the arrest of 124 individuals (44 vehicle owners and 80 drivers).
• Seizures: Police have successfully seized 361 tons of illegal sand and impounded 102 vehicles used in the trade.

Community Awareness and Legal Warning

The police are actively working to dismantle illegal sand stockpiles using JCB machines and are conducting community outreach in villages along the Chambal river. Authorities have issued a stern warning: under Supreme Court directives, vehicles and machinery involved in illegal sand transportation will no longer be released through fines alone. Instead, authorities will pursue the permanent cancellation of vehicle registration and total confiscation (Rajsaat).

The Rajasthan Police has appealed to the public to remain vigilant, abstain from the illegal sand trade, and report any suspicious activity immediately to ensure environmental conservation and law and order in the Chambal region.

Disclaimer: This report is based on official data and press statements issued by the Rajasthan Police. Legal proceedings against individuals involved in illegal mining are currently sub judice. For official legal updates, please refer to the respective district police department’s notifications.