From Rooftops and Ponds to Aquifers: Odisha's Groundwater Revival under ‘Jal Sanchay, Jan Bhagidari’

Paperman Media (Bhubaneswar)- public outreach programmes encouraged residents, women, youth groups and local representatives to actively participate in groundwater conservation, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility towards local water resources.

Water Conservation as a People's Movement

A defining feature of Odisha's groundwater recharge initiatives has been the strong emphasis on community participation. Across districts, awareness drives, workshops, demonstrations and public engagement activities have transformed groundwater conservation from a technical intervention into a collective social effort.

Government institutions, educational campuses, Self-Help Groups, local bodies and community organisations have played an active role in promoting rainwater harvesting, maintaining recharge structures and spreading awareness about sustainable water use. This convergence of scientific planning and public participation embodies the spirit of Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari.

Building a Water-Secure Future

The experience of Jajpur, Cuttack and Digapahandi demonstrates that sustainable groundwater management is most effective when infrastructure development is combined with community ownership. Through the implementation of the CHHATA Scheme, which captures rainwater from rooftops, and the ARUA Scheme, which channels surplus water from ponds and tanks into underground aquifers, Odisha has created a scalable and replicable model for groundwater conservation.

As monsoon rains continue to arrive each year, Odisha is ensuring that rainwater is not merely treated as seasonal runoff but as a valuable resource for future generations. By replenishing aquifers, strengthening water security and mobilising communities to participate in conservation efforts, ‘Jal Sanchay, Jan Bhagidari’ is laying the foundation for a more resilient and water-secure future