Madhya Pradesh's Khandwa ranks No. 1 in India for water conservation among districts

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has lauded Khandwa district for securing the top spot nationally in water conservation efforts under the central government’s “Jal Sanchay, Jan Bhagidari” campaign. 

The achievement was announced by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, which recently released the national rankings of districts and states engaged in rainwater conservation initiatives. Madhya Pradesh, as a whole, secured the fourth position among all states.

Expressing pride in the district's success, Chief Minister Yadav said, “The national recognition of Khandwa reflects the dedication and collective efforts of our citizens, public representatives, and government teams. Water conservation remains a top priority for the state government.”

He added that the state's ongoing work under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s water conservation mission will continue with increased vigor. “I am confident that all districts of Madhya Pradesh will deliver outstanding results in the future.”

Massive Groundwork Behind Khandwa’s First-Place Finish

According to Shri Aviprased, State Nodal Officer of the Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan and Commissioner of MGNREGA, Khandwa district undertook an unparalleled volume of work to achieve this distinction.

The district executed and registered over 1,29,000 water conservation structures.

These included 12,750 well recharge pits, 1,500 recharge shafts, 23,570 dugwells, 5,780 boulder check dams, 1,256 boulder walls, 3,960 sandbag barricades, 7,455 field bunds, 5,500 gully plugs, 3,269 drainage trenches, 6,528 handpump recharge units, 39,000 rooftop rainwater harvesting systems, 58 check/stop dams and ponds, 4,800 farm ponds, 2,275 drain works, 1,500 additional farm ponds, 68 contour trenches, 750 dry borewell recharges, 2,462 renovation projects, and 6,560 other revival efforts for handpumps, wells, and dried borewells.

These works were supported through funding from MGNREGA, the 15th and 5th Finance Commission grants, CSR contributions, and enthusiastic public participation.

Statewide Commitment Under Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan

The success in Khandwa is part of a broader mission-mode campaign led by the Madhya Pradesh government through the Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan.

The campaign focuses on reviving old water bodies and conserving rainwater using low-cost, effective techniques. Structures such as farm ponds, recharge pits, and Amrit Sarovars have been central to this initiative, aiming for long-term water sustainability and drought resilience across rural and urban areas.

Verification Pending Before Formal National Recognition

Though the Ministry of Jal Shakti has released preliminary rankings based on data submitted for works completed between April 1, 2024, and May 31, 2025, a physical verification of the structures in top-performing districts like Khandwa will follow. Only after this verification will the awards and formal honors be conferred by the central government.

National Campaign Encourages Community-Driven Water Conservation

The “Jal Sanchay, Jan Bhagidari” campaign was launched on September 6, 2024, under the broader “Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain” program. It emphasizes the motto “Where it falls, when it falls – conserve rainwater” and encourages active community participation.

The campaign promotes scientific yet cost-effective techniques such as rooftop harvesting, borewell recharge, and groundwater rejuvenation. It also aims to raise awareness and foster community ownership of water conservation as a shared responsibility.

The remarkable recognition of Khandwa’s efforts sets a benchmark for other districts and states to follow in addressing India’s growing water security challenges.