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.

During the interaction, the Chief Minister said the Rajasthan Government is working to fulfill the vision of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s Antyodaya philosophy by ensuring that development and welfare schemes reach the last person in society. He described Gram Vikas Chaupal as an effective platform for direct communication and problem-solving at the grassroots level.

Chaupal Held Under a Peepal Tree

While touring the village, the Chief Minister held a chaupal under a Peepal tree where villagers shared concerns related to water supply, irrigation, and local infrastructure. Taking immediate note of these issues, he instructed district officials to work on the construction of an anicut on the Hiran River and improve drinking water sources in the area.

The Chief Minister also visited a Maa Bari Center, interacted with children, and distributed chocolates among them. He encouraged students to focus on education and work towards building a brighter future. He also appealed to villagers to keep young people away from substance abuse and ensure proper education for children.

Immediate Action on Financial Irregularity Complaint

During the program, complaints regarding alleged financial irregularities against Kushalgarh Block Chief Medical Officer Dr. Girish Bhabhor were brought to the Chief Minister’s attention. Taking the matter seriously, he directed officials to initiate immediate action. Following the instructions, the medical department placed Dr. Bhabhor under APO status without delay.

Focus on Water Conservation and Modern Farming

The Chief Minister emphasized that water has no alternative and every drop must be used wisely. He urged farmers to adopt micro-irrigation, rainwater harvesting, pond construction, and diversified farming techniques to improve productivity and income.

He also encouraged farmers to combine agriculture with animal husbandry to strengthen their financial condition. Referring to successful community-led water conservation efforts in the Dungarpur region, he called upon villagers to turn water conservation into a public movement.

Development Projects Approved on the Spot

During a tea discussion with villagers, the Chief Minister approved several local development projects immediately. These included ₹16.20 lakh for the construction of a Maa Bari Center in Thummath village, ₹20 lakh for a single-phase tubewell at Thummath crossroads, and ₹7 lakh for interlocking and beautification work at the Mama Baleshwar Dayal temple complex in Churada village.

He also directed officials to construct two additional classrooms in the government school and establish a milk collection center near the village.

In another humanitarian gesture, the Chief Minister responded to a request from a family whose child is suffering from cerebral palsy. He instructed officials to transfer assistant engineer Hemant Kumar Kalal to Banswara considering the family’s situation.

Earlier, the Chief Minister paid floral tribute to the statue of Saint Mama Baleshwar Dayal. The event was attended by Babulal Kharadi, Hemant Meena, and Gautam Kumar Dak along with local representatives and villagers.

Disclaimer

This article is based on official information and public press releases. The content has been rewritten in a reader-friendly and human-style format for informational and news purposes only.

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