Catch the Rain

PIB Backgrounder Catch the Rain A Renewed National Call for Water Conservation

Posted On: 26 OCT 2026 11:14AM by PIB Delhi Catch the Rain Campaign at a Glance Catch the Rain is a nationwide campaign focused on rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and water-body restoration. The campaign encourages communities and institutions to conserve rainwater and strengthen water security. It promotes cleaning of ponds and water reservoirs to maximise monsoon water retention. It also encourages afforestation to enhance green coverage in water-retention areas.

Key water conservation actions recommended during this campaign are:

Adopt rainwater harvesting systems in homes, societies and workplaces.

Install recharge pits and shafts at suitable locations.

Repair unused borewells to facilitate groundwater recharge.

Restore baolis, wells and traditional water bodies.

Desilt ponds and reservoirs to enhance water retention.

Promote tree plantation in water retention and recharge areas.

Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) 1.0 (2024) Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 1.0 strengthened community participation in water conservation. JSJB 1.0 was implemented from 1 April 2024 to 31 May 2025. The initiative followed the principles of Community, CSR, and Cost - the 3Cs. It also mobilized convergence with ongoing government schemes to accelerate water conservation efforts. The initiative promoted low-cost groundwater recharge and water storage structures. It also supported the revival of defunct borewells and locally appropriate solutions. The structures were developed through a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of- Society approach. During this campaign, more than 10 lakh groundwater recharge structures were constructed, with more than 27 lakh artificial recharge structures reported.

Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 2.0 (2025) Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 2.0, launched on 1 June 2025, built upon the earlier initiative. It focused particularly on groundwater recharge in over-exploited and critical districts. The approach emphasised low-cost and hyper-local interventions. In November 2025, exemplary contributions under JSJB 1.0 were recognised during the 6th National Water Awards.Impact Evaluation and Achievement of JSJB Initiative Under the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) initiative, over 1.55 crore Artificial Recharge and Storage Structures have been constructed. Further, an Impact Evaluation Study of JSJB 1.0 was conducted, which evaluated 23 lakh structures using rainfall data between 1 June 2025 and 31 December 2025. The study estimated that these interventions have resulted in 2.43 billion cubic metres of groundwater recharge.

Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari: Catch the Rain (JSJB: CTR) (2026) The 2026 initiative, launched on June 1,2026, expanded the JSJB approach by integrating it

with the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain campaign. The campaign focused on rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, water conservation, creation of water assets, and community participation. It promoted locally appropriate, low-cost interventions and strengthened climate resilience through sustainable water management.

The campaign leveraged convergence across several government schemes like VB-G RAM G, Per Drop More Crop under PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), Repair, Renovation and Restoration of Water Bodies under PMKSY, CAMPA, Finance Commission Grants and other state government schemes. The initiative brought together Panchayati Raj Institutions, urban local bodies, women’s groups, youth, educational institutions, civil society organisations and local communities. These stakeholders support planning, implementation and community-led water conservation. JSJB: CTR portal and mobile application have been instrumental in strengthening transparency, monitoring and facilitating public feedback.

Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR)

Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain was launched on 22 March 2021 on World Water Day.

Its guiding theme was: “Catch the Rain, Where It Falls, When It Falls.” The campaign builds on the success of Jal Shakti Abhiyan 2019, which covered 1,592 water-stressed blocks across 256 districts for promoting rainwater harvesting. It also promotedgroundwater recharge, watershed development, rejuvenation of water bodies, afforestation, and community participation through a Jan Andolan approach. The

campaign has since been implemented annually with evolving themes and focus areas:

Year Theme / Focus Key Areas of Activity 2021 Catch the Rain, Rainwater harvesting & water Conservation; Geo- Where It Falls, When tagging of water bodies; Scientific water conservation It Falls planning; Jal Shakti Kendras and awareness activities 2022 Expanding Water Restoration of traditional water bodies; Groundwater Conservation recharge and watershed development; Wetland and Activities river rejuvenation; Spring-shed development and catchment protection 2023 Source Focus on 150 water-stressed districts; Strengthening Sustainability for drinking water sources; Groundwater recharge and Drinking Water source sustainability; Field monitoring and community participation 2024 Nari Shakti se Jal Women-led water conservation initiatives; Desilting Shakti and cleaning of water bodies; Revival of abandoned borewells for recharge; Afforestation and rejuvenation of local water resources The 2024 campaign highlighted women-led water conservation initiatives. Their contributions continue to be recognized through the Swachh Sujal Shakti Samman, celebrating exemplary efforts in water conservation, sanitation, and hygiene.

Jal Shakti Kendras Jal Shakti Kendras (JSKs) serve as district-level knowledge and facilitation hubs. They

support communities and local administrations through:

Providing information on water harvesting techniques Providing technical guidance Supporting water conservation planning and implementation From Rainwater Harvesting to Rural Resilience Water conservation has evolved into a community-driven movement focused on sustainable water management. Initiatives such as Catch the Rain and Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari promote rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and restoration of water bodies. Scientific planning, local ownership, and convergence of resources are strengthening water security, rural livelihoods, and climate resilience. By linking community ownership with convergence, digital oversight, and asset creation, JSJB: CTR is laying the foundation for a water-secure Bharat.References PIB Backgrounders

https://www.pib.gov.in/FeaturesDeatils.aspx?NoteId=159260&ModuleId=2&reg=%203&lan g=1 Click here to see pdf *** PIB Research (Release ID: 2328335)Visitor Counter : 888

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