New Water Harvesting Structure Launched in Jhagadia

In Jhagadia, Gujarat, a new water harvesting structure was inaugurated by the Central Water Power Minister, C.R. Patil. The event took place at the Borosil Renewables campus. The ceremony included Vedic chants, and notable guests offered water from the Narmada River to a recharge well. This initiative aims to promote water conservation and harvesting across the country. Minister Patil highlighted the government’s plan to build 75 ponds in every district to boost these efforts. He emphasized the need to collect rainwater in fields, villages, and cities to tackle water scarcity. According to him, the time for building large dams on rivers has passed, and water conservation is now essential. He mentioned that the Prime Minister appealed for a campaign called ‘Catch the Rain’ in 2021. This has led to the establishment of over 1.6 million water conservation structures in India. People are increasingly recognizing the importance of water conservation. The minister stated, “Water is life, but now we must adapt our understanding to ‘water today means life tomorrow.’” He also reflected on past efforts, mentioning how, during his tenure as Chief Minister, Narendra Modi completed the Sardar Sarovar project and worked on river linking initiatives to ensure water reaches various regions, including Saurashtra and Kutch. Pradeep Kheruka, Chairman of Borosil Renewables, urged the local community to join this campaign and help solve water issues. The event was attended by district officials and political leaders. Mayank Gandhi, a water conservation expert, showcased a film about the water-saving efforts in India. According to NITI Aayog data, a severe water crisis could emerge by 2030. Historians believe that the next world war might be fought over water, but India aims to avoid such a scenario. The government is already taking steps to address these challenges. The inauguration of the water harvesting structure was a symbolic beginning of a vital initiative for sustainable water management in the region.