Chhattisgarh's Rajnandgaon emerges as Water Conservation Model

As the monsoon gathers pace, Chhattisgarh's Rajnandgaon district has emerged as a model for water conservation through its science-driven and community-led Mission Jal Raksha, an initiative aimed at strengthening groundwater reserves and ensuring long-term water security.
Launched under the nationwide CatchTheRain campaign, the initiative focuses on capturing, conserving and recharging rainwater by combining scientific planning with active community participation.Ahead of the monsoon, the district developed a comprehensive strategy to prevent rainwater runoff and maximise groundwater recharge. Under Mission Jal Raksha, authorities deployed technologies such as Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, remote sensing, aquifer mapping, Digital Elevation Models (DEM) and ridge-to-valley planning to identify suitable locations for recharge interventions.
According to the agency reports, the programme has also introduced innovative measures on the ground, including converting defunct borewells into recharge shafts and constructing mini percolation tanks integrated with deep injection wells. These interventions help channel rainwater into deeper aquifers, particularly in hard-rock regions where groundwater recharge is more challenging.
A key pillar of the initiative is Jan Bhagidari, with farmers, women, youth, Gram Panchayats and local communities actively participating in water budgeting, awareness campaigns and behavioural change initiatives to promote water conservation.The district has also encouraged crop diversification, with nearly 70 per cent of summer paddy cultivation shifting to less water-intensive crops. The move has helped reduce pressure on groundwater resources while supporting more sustainable agricultural practices.
Mission Jal Raksha has delivered significant results across the district. More than 60,000 water conservation and recharge structures have been created in 662 villages, while over 500 defunct borewells have been converted into recharge shafts. In addition, more than 600 injection wells have been linked with over 1,700 mini percolation tanks, and over 2,500 water bodies have been geo-tagged for monitoring and management.According to officials, the initiative has generated over 51 lakh person-days of employment and contributed to an average groundwater level rise of around 2.04 metres, improving irrigation facilities and drinking water availability across the district.
As the CatchTheRain campaign continues across the country, Rajnandgaon’s Mission Jal Raksha showcases how advance planning, scientific interventions and community participation can transform seasonal rainfall into a sustainable water resource. The initiative also underscores the importance of rainwater harvesting as a long-term strategy for groundwater sustainability, climate resilience and water security.