“Catch the Rain” awareness generation campaign : National Water Mission
Q. Why in News?
Recently, the National Water Mission (NWM), Ministry of Jal Shakti in collaboration with Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports have launched the ‘Catch the Rain’ Awareness Generation Campaign.
Q. What are its aims?
To nudge all stake-holders to create Rain Water Harvesting Structures (RWHS) suitable for the climatic conditions and subsoil strata to store rainwater.
To engage people at the grassroots through effective campaigning and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities for implementation of the campaign.
Q. What are the activities in it?
Drives to make water harvesting pits, rooftop RWHS and check dams.
Removal of encroachments and desilting of tanks to increase their storage capacity.
Removal of obstructions in the channels which bring water from the catchment areas.
Repairs to traditional WHS like step-wells and using defunct bore-wells and old wells to put the water back to aquifers.
As a preparatory phase of Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) II, NYKS will undertake an awareness campaign through various IEC activities, to cover 623 districts from December 2020 to March 2021.
IEC activities will include conducting education and motivational programs, mass awareness campaigns, environment building including wall writing, etc.
States have been requested to open Rain Centers in each district, which will act as a technical guidance centre to all in the district.
Q. What are its significance?
Emphasized focus on water conservation and rainwater harvesting will make youngsters understand the importance of water.
Highest priority to the issue of water conservation will lead to the adoption of an integrated approach towards water management.
The idea of “No or only limited will water to flow out of the compound” will help in improving soil moisture and rising groundwater table.
In urban areas it will reduce water gushing onto roads, damaging them and will prevent urban flooding.
