NITI Aayog will be launching ‘Jal Utsav'

Tags: Environment

JAL UTSAV-2024

Why in news?

• NITI Aayog will be launching a 15 day ‘Jal Utsav’ starting 6th November,2024 to create awareness and sensitivity towards water management, conservation and sustainability. 

Objectives of the JAL UTSAV:

• Jal Utsav is being implemented in 20 Aspirational Districts/Blocksbetween November 6-20, 2024 in partnership with National Jal Jeevan Mission, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti. 
• The Festival being launched across 20 states, envisages community participation in preservation and protection of water resources. 
•  The campaign follows the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi who mooted the idea of ‘Jal Utsav’ on the lines of ‘Nadi Utsav’during the 3rd Chief Secretaries Conference held in December, 2023.
• It seeks to instill a sense of responsibility towards efficient water use among households and water management among utilities and agencies. 

Key features:

• In this initiative, school students are being enrolled in water management activities, empowering them to act as catalysts for change within their families and communities.
• The fortnight long festival will be launched with ‘Jal Bandhan’– the symbolic tying of sacred thread on water assets by eminent personalities and local leaders.and sustainable use. 

Through this pledge, communities are being encouraged to abide by the 5Rs: Respect, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recharge while using water.

• The subsequent days of the Jal Utsav fortnight will include cleaning of Jal Sampada assets; celebrating Jal Sanchay Diwas; encouraging teachers to lead through creating water management awareness through stories, experiments and visits to water bodies and also by training the students on water quality testing using field test kits (FTKs). 
• Students will be given exposure visits to water supply and treatment plants for greater awareness about water management; organizing Jal Utsav Run or marathon; planting of trees under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naamat Jal Sampada premises are also the activities planned for the fortnight.
•  People for skill development under Nal Jal Mitra initiative of Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation will also be enrolled during the Jal Utsav. 
• Self-help Groups and ASHA workers are also being included in this festival for sensitization and capacity building.
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