The Government of India formed the Ministry of Jal Shakti in May 2019. The Ministry of Jal Shakti was formed by merging two ministries: the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, and the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation. Topics like Jal Shakti Abhiyan and Water Resources in India, in addition to Jal Shakti Ministry, become significant for the IAS Exam.
Jal Shakti Ministry – UPSC Notes:-Download PDF Here
The following table summarises the ministry's highlights:
| Ministry of Jal Shakti | |
| Date of Formation | May 2019 |
| Governing Ministers | Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Cabinet Minister and Rattan Lal Kataria, Minister of State |
| Jurisdiction | Republic of India |
Objectives of Jal Shakti Ministry
The Jal Shakti Ministry is concerned with international and inter-state water conflicts, as well as the cleansing of the Ganga, its tributaries, and sub-tributaries, and the provision of safe drinking water. The foundation of this ministry is aimed at addressing India's rising water concerns during the last few decades.
The Jal Shakti Ministry is responsible for a number of major projects, projects, and programmes, including:
- Jal Jeevan Mission
- Jal Shakti Abhiyan
- Atal Bhujal Yojana
- Namami Gange Programme
- National Aquifer Mapping Programme
- PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana
What is Jal Shakti Abhiyan?
Following the promise of Bharatiya Janata party, the Jal Shakti Department was established in May 2019 to alleviate the problems related to water scarcity in India. Immediately following the announcement of the Jal Shakti Ministry, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat announced the start of Jal Shakti Abhiyan activities on July 1, 2019. This is a water conservation and water safety campaign that continues from the 1st. July 2019 to September 15, 2019 The campaign mainly focuses on flooded districts.
According to Shri Parameswaran Iyer, Secretary of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Jal Shakti Abhiyan is a collaborative campaign between government ministries of India and state governments coordinated by DDWS. Jal Shakti Abhiyan mainly focuses on water conservation at 1592 stressed water bodies in 256 districts. It also provides five key water conservation interventions:
- Rainwater harvesting
- Renovation of traditional and other water bodies/tanks
- Reuse bore well recharge structures
- Watershed development
- Intensive afforestation.
Through Krishi Vigyan Kendras, the Jal Shakti Abhiyan was also developed to design different Water Conservation Plans for Blocks and Districts, as well as to encourage effective water usage for irrigation and the selection of superior crops.
How to approach topics like Jal Shakti Ministry for UPSC
The topic ‘Jal Shakti Ministry’ for the IAS Exam can be studied covering the following subjects:
- Geography of India (UPSC Mains GS 1) - With the Jal Shakti series, topics like water resources, hydropower projects, rivers become important to UPSC. Therefore, the aspirant should converge all these factors.
- Policy India (UPSC Mains GS 2) - Legislative actions to unite the two ministries, bringing water-related projects to the fore. For example, aspirants should know about national water supply mission, Atal Bhujal Yojana, Saguna rice cultivation technique etc. For example, Jal Shakti's ministry recently decided to create a central body to examine the issue of the salinity of the Mahadyi River. With this, Karnataka's Kalasa-Banduri project was reported. Therefore, an aspirant must objectively know the Mahadri River, the Kalasa-Banduri Project, to verify the preliminaries.
- UPSC Test - Many times tests are requested on water crisis, water stress in examining the power source. Therefore, an aspirant should know about the initiatives launched by Jal Shakti ministry by visiting its official website - http://mowr.gov.in/.
- Applicants should keep up with the latest developments in the news regarding other government programs to prepare for their UPSC 2021.
National Water Mission
PM Narendra Modi established the National Water Mission as part of the National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC) to combat global warming's concerns. The National Water Mission focuses on water conservation and waste reduction. It also guarantees that water is distributed fairly between and within states by developing and managing integrated water resources. The National Water Mission's main objectives are as follows:
- Reduce and research the effects of climate change on water supplies, and provide a comprehensive water database available to the public.
- Actions by citizens and the government to save, increase, and preserve water.
- To concentrate on vulnerable regions, such as over-exploited areas, and to raise water usage efficiency by 20%.
- To encourage basin-level integrated water resource management.
Water Scarcity in India
The 2018 Integrated Water Management Index (CWMI) notes that 6% of the economy's GDP will be lost by 2050, while water demand will exceed available supply by 2030.
India accounts for 18% Only 4% of the world's population has useable water. Poor resource management and lack of government attention have contributed to India's water scarcity. According to the NITI Aayog report published in June 2019, India is facing the worst water crisis in its history. About 600 million people, or about 45% of India's population, are facing high to severe water stress. The report goes on to say that almost 40% of the population will be completely without access to safe drinking water by 2030 and 6% of India's GDP will be lost by 2050 due to the water crisis.
From the publication of the Ministry of Jal Shakti; By 2030, industrial activity will require four times the amount of water consumed by 2020.
Jal Shakti Ministry – UPSC Notes:-Download PDF Here
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