The Government has launched the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Abhiyan (JSJB) to transform water conservation into a mass movement across the country. Introduced on 6 September 2024 under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR) campaign, JSJB aims to deepen community and private-sector participation in water conservation by promoting low-cost artificial recharge structures such as rooftop rainwater harvesting systems, recharge pits and the revival of defunct borewells. Designed as a scalable and sustainable model to address declining groundwater levels at the micro level, the initiative also integrates advanced monitoring systems to support groundwater replenishment and encourage responsible water use. As of 20 November 2025, Uttar Pradesh has completed 165,720 water recharge structures under JSJB. The initiative operates in convergence with major programmes and schemes such as MGNREGA, District Mineral Funds, Atal Bhujal Yojana, the 15th Finance Commission and the Jal Jeevan Mission to enhance source sustainability. In its first phase, several States successfully implemented model interventions: Bhadradri Kothagudem, Telangana adopted a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approach for joint planning and execution to achieve water sufficiency. Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh launched Mission Jal Raksha, focusing on reviving groundwater sources through the restoration of defunct borewells and trench channelisation. Barmer, Rajasthan revived the traditional Tanka system, combining heritage wisdom with modern engineering. These examples highlight JSJB’s emphasis on community ownership, heritage-based solutions and region-specific interventions for long-term groundwater security. The information was provided by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.Image source