New Delhi: Odisha shone at the 6th National Water Awards and Jal Sanchay– Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) Awards, with RCCF Berhampur Circle securing the first rank (joint winner) in the ‘Best Institute Other Than School and College Outside Campus’ category.
Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agriculture University, Hisar, shared the top position. Since August 2023, the Berhampur Circle has constructed five farm ponds, 24,317 staggered trenches, over 3,000 pits and around 8 km of trenches, reflecting sustained innovation in water conservation and resource management.
President Droupadi Murmu presented the awards at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, Tuesday.
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Instituted by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the awards recognise outstanding contributions to sustainable water use across the country.
In addition, Malusanta Government Nodal Higher Secondary School, Damanjodi, was adjudged the third joint winner in the ‘Best School and College’ category.
Apart five Odisha districts, Ganjam, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Cuttack, and Mayurbhanj, received the prestigious JSJB Awards 2025 for their exemplary contributions to water conservation and groundwater recharge under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR) campaign.
Launched in September 2024, the initiative promotes community participation in water governance and sustainable practices to address growing water stress.
The award-winning districts have constructed and rejuvenated key water infrastructure, including rooftop rainwater harvesting systems and borewell recharge units.
Each of these districts will receive `25 lakh in financial incentives, along with citations from the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation.
The JSA: CTR campaign has already resulted in the construction of 27.6 lakh recharge structures nationwide, surpassing its original target of 10 lakh and highlighting the success of community-driven water management.
At the ceremony, President Murmu stressed the vital importance of water in human civilisation and Indian tradition, noting that rivers, lakes, and other water sources have always been revered.
She urged citizens, industries, and governments to adopt sustainable and innovative practices for water conservation, emphasising that water is a precious resource whose efficient use is crucial for India, especially in the face of climate change.
She also highlighted the success of the Jal Sanchay-Jan Bhagidari initiative, under which over 35 lakh groundwater recharge structures have been constructed.