Addressing an agricultural workshop at Durgapura Agriculture Research Centre, Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje stressed on the importance of water independence for dry, semi-arid state like Rajasthan. Raje’s innovation– MJSA ‘Mukhyamantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan’ was a massive success that benefitted 42 lakh natives and 45 lakh livestock within a span of 6 months. The first phase of this multifaceted rainwater conservation mega-plan transformed around 3,539 Rajasthan villages into lush, water-retentive green lands blossoming with life. With this, Rajasthan had emerged as an exemplary water-savvy model in India. Inspiring the natives to keep their spirits high, the CM urged them to reflect same passion and vigour for the second phase.
Starting from 9 December, the second phase of jal swavlamban will cover 4200 villages and 66 townships, in an attempt to make Rajasthan fertile and water-independent.
Rajasthan Enjoys Sweet Fruits of Mukhyamantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan
Highlighting the impressive accomplishments of first phase, CM said that the number of safe blocks in Rajasthan has increased from 25 to 50, all thanks to public contribution and jal swavlamban yojna. A scheme that stirred up water revolution in Rajasthan, transformed approximately 11,170 million cubic feet barren regions into fertile, productive plains. Following the successful implementation of this scheme, the remote, torrid regions in Rajasthan are blessed with 26,50,000 trees and a multitude of ponds, wells and Johads filled with water up to the brink.
To reward the relentless efforts of the public, CM Raje awarded various districts for their outstanding contribution to mukhyamantri jal swavalamban yojana. Accordingly, the district collectors of Pali (first), Jhalawad (second), Bharatpur, Sirohi, Sikar (third) and Chittaurgarh, Ganganagar, Alwar, Tonk and Baanswaada (consolation) received prizes from the CM.
Other recipients of awards include 60 work personnel along with important state officials, such as N.C. Goyal (Additional Chief Secretary, Forest), Sudarshan Sethi (Chief Secretary, Rural Development), Anand Kumar (Secretary, Panchayati Raj), Rajiv Thakur (Secretary, Rural Development), Rohit Kumar (Present Commissioner NAREGA), Anurag Bharadwaj (Watershed and Soil Conservation Commissioner), Rohit Reddy (Technical Assistant, River Basin Authority), Ajay Gupta (Forest Conservationist), Sushila Yadav (Deputy Director, Watershed and Soil Conservation), Umesh Joshi (IT Deputy Director).
The State Prepares for the Launch of Second Phase on December 9
The second phase of ‘Mukhyamantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan‘ will rope in remaining villages and townships. Best technologies will be exercised to monitor 1,40,000 projects through web mapping. Attempts will be made to plant around 1 crore trees in these areas. Key minister, department heads, MLAs, MPs, district heads, religious groups, NGOs, government organizations and the general public will come together to take it to the final stage.
The workshop concluded with impressive presentations by watershed commissioner and river basin authority chairman. CM Raje lauded remarkable achievements bagged by Karauli, where old Baawdis (water pools) have revived and bridges have been constructed on rivers with public participation. Now, the natives look forward to inauguration of this ostentatious scheme in December.
