Karauli: In a major bid to combat depleting groundwater levels and foster a culture of water conservation, the Bhajan Lal Sharma-led Rajasthan government is set to launch a massive public movement. The ‘Vande Ganga Water Conservation Campaign-2026’ will officially kick off on May 25 (Ganga Dashami). While Chief Minister Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma will inaugurate the state-level campaign from Jaipur, the district-level launch in Karauli will be led by the District Minister In-charge, Jawahar Singh Bedham. This mega environmental drive will run across the state until June 5 (World Environment Day).
To ensure seamless implementation and robust grassroots coordination, a high-level review meeting was held at the Karauli Collectorate Auditorium under the chairmanship of District Collector Akshay Godara.
Transforming Water Conservation into a ‘People’s Movement’
During the meeting, District Collector Akshay Godara issued strict directives to all departmental officers to work with absolute synchronization. The Collector emphasized that water conservation must not remain a mere administrative formality. Instead, it should be transformed into a widespread public movement at both rural and urban levels. Every gram panchayat and urban local body will monitor daily progress, which will be uploaded directly onto the state portal.
From Voluntary Service to ‘Jal Gaurav Awards’: Key Campaign Highlights
This 11-day campaign is designed as a mission-mode operation entirely dedicated to water security and environmental preservation. Key activities will include:
- Shramdaan (Voluntary Labor) & Cleanliness: Extensive cleaning drives will be conducted around rivers, canals, old dams, traditional stepwells, and village ponds. Public places like cow shelters (Gaushalas), bus stands, railway stations, and drinking water sources will undergo intensive sanitization.
- Cultural and Ritualistic Connect: The campaign’s launch day will feature the traditional worship of water bodies, ‘Vande Ganga’ Kalash Yatras, morning processions (Prabhat Pheris), and ‘Peepal tree’ worship. In the evening, traditional lamp-lighting ceremonies (Deepdan) will illuminate local water bodies.
- Special Gram Sabhas (May 26): On the second day of the campaign, special village council meetings (Gram Sabhas) will be convened across all panchayats to pass approvals for new water structures and administer a water conservation pledge to citizens.
- Defense & Police Personnel Contribution (May 31): On the occasion of Jyeshtha Purnima, personnel from the police, army, and paramilitary forces will dedicate a day to voluntary labor (Shramdaan) for rejuvenating water bodies. Additionally, water bowls (Parindas) will be set up for birds.
- Immediate Benefits for Farmers: The Agriculture and Horticulture Departments will expedite approvals for modern irrigation technologies, including sprinklers, drip irrigation systems, and farm ponds.
- Honoring Water Warriors: The campaign will culminate on June 5 with a grand closing ceremony at the district headquarters, where individuals and organizations demonstrating exemplary work in water conservation will be honored with the prestigious ‘Jal Gaurav Samman’.
The high-profile meeting saw the participation of Superintendent of Police Lokesh Sonwal, Additional District Collector Hemraj Paridwal, Chief Executive Officer and Campaign Nodal Officer Lakhan Singh, along with all district-level department heads and block officers who connected via video conferencing.
Disclaimer:
This article has been compiled for informational purposes based on the official press release issued by the Information and Public Relations Office (DIPR), Karauli, Government of Rajasthan. While utmost care has been taken to ensure the authenticity of the information, readers and participating organizations are advised to cross-verify the specific timelines, event schedules, and official guidelines through the state government’s administrative portals.
