Nari Shakti Se Jal Shakti Initiative

Syllabus: GS3/ Governance

Context

•  In India, the Nari Shakti Se Jal Shakti initiative is a groundbreaking effort that is leveraging women’s leadership in water conservation.

About

• The Union government launched the fifth edition of the nationwide campaign ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain-2024’ campaign in March, 2024 with the theme ‘Nari Shakti se Jal Shakti.’ 
• Women-Led Action: Women under this initiative have mobilized communities to adopt water-saving practices, reduce wastage, and protect natural water bodies.
• Sustainability Focus: Women’s leadership ensures the sustainability of water conservation efforts, embedding these practices into community lifestyles.

Significance

• Alignment with SDGs: The initiative directly contributes to achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
  • SDG 5: Gender equality and empowerment of women.
  • SDG 6: Ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
• Empowering Women: It recognizes women as key agents of change, enabling them to lead and sustain water conservation strategies.

Water Crisis Situation

• The global water crisis is escalating, with projections of financial losses in lower-income countries potentially reaching GDP reductions of 15% by 2050.
• India faces a severe water crisis, with nearly 40 percent of its population projected to lack access to clean drinking water by 2030.
  • Agriculture consumes about 80% of India’s water and is heavily reliant on unpredictable monsoons.

Government initiatives for water conservation

• National Aquifer Mapping Programme (NAQUIM) to delineate and characterize the aquifer system in the country.
• Jal Kranti Abhiyan, aimed at consolidating water conservation and management initiatives through a holistic and integrated approach involving all stakeholders. 
• Atal Bhujal Yojana, envisages improving ground water management in identified water-stressed areas in parts of seven States in the country with emphasis on demand management and community participation.
  • Women participation in water budgeting has been kept at least 33% in the Gram Panchayat-level Water User Associations. 
• National Water Policy: It advocates rainwater harvesting and emphasizes conservation and direct use of rainfall.

Case Studies

• In Rajasthan, women-led groups have revived traditional water bodies and constructed check dams.
• In Maharashtra, women have played a crucial role in adopting micro-irrigation techniques, reducing water usage in agriculture while boosting crop yields.
• In Himachal Pradesh, women are actively involved in rainwater harvesting projects.

Conclusion

• The Nari Shakti Se Jal Shakti initiative demonstrates how women’s leadership can transform water conservation in India, ensuring water security for future generations.
• This innovative program also fosters collaborations between government bodies, non-governmental organizations, and local communities, creating a robust and sustainable model for water management.

Source: DTE