Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Initiative Creates Over 1.55 Crore Water Recharge Structures

More than 1.55 crore artificial water recharge and storage structures have been created across India under the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) initiative, according to an official factsheet released on Monday.

An impact assessment estimated that 23 lakh structures evaluated using rainfall data from June to December 2025 facilitated groundwater recharge of approximately 2.43 billion cubic metres.

The initiative seeks to strengthen water security by combining community participation, local planning, digital monitoring and the creation of water conservation assets. It has been integrated with the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain campaign, which promotes rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, water conservation and public participation.

Community Participation at the Centre

The programme brings together Panchayati Raj institutions, urban local bodies, women's groups, youth organisations, educational institutions, civil society organisations and local communities.

These stakeholders participate in planning and implementing water conservation measures suited to local conditions. The initiative also encourages affordable interventions to improve sustainable water management and strengthen resilience to climate-related challenges.

The JSJB: Catch the Rain portal and mobile application support transparency, monitoring and public feedback, helping track the implementation of conservation projects.

Building on the Jal Shakti Abhiyan

The campaign builds on the Jal Shakti Abhiyan launched in 2019, which covered 1,592 water-stressed blocks across 256 districts to promote rainwater harvesting and other conservation measures.

The earlier initiative also focused on groundwater recharge, watershed development, the rejuvenation of water bodies, afforestation and community participation through a public movement approach.

According to the official statement, water conservation is increasingly being driven by community involvement, with initiatives such as Catch the Rain and Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari encouraging rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and the restoration of water bodies.

The government said scientific planning, local ownership and the coordinated use of resources are helping strengthen water security, support rural livelihoods and improve climate resilience.