'Jal Itihas Utsav’ Organized at Jahaz Mahal in Delhi

Jal Shakti Ministry has organized 'Jal Itihas Utsav' on December 01, 2023 at Shamsi Talab, Jahaz Mahal, Mehrauli, Delhi.

• The objective of this program is to increase public awareness towards conservation of water heritage sites, create a sense of ownership among the public, promote tourism as well as restoration of such heritage structures.
• The event marks the successful completion of the “Water Heritage Fortnight” celebrated in 75 ‘Natural Water Heritage Structures’ in various districts across the country from November 15, 2023 to November 30, 2023.
• The organization of 'Jal Itihas Utsav' also marks the successful completion of the nationwide campaign 'Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain' 2023.

Water Heritage Sites in India

• The Jal Shakti Ministry had constituted a committee under the chairmanship of RR Mishra to identify 75 'Natural Water Heritage Structures' across the country as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
• A total of 421 nominations were received from States, Union Territories, Central Government agencies and people from which a total of 75 sites were selected.
• These sites were selected during the first All India State Ministers' Conference on Water on 5 January 2023 in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
• These sites included 7 from Rajasthan, 7 from Tamil Nadu, 6 from Madhya Pradesh, 5 from Gujarat, 4 from Uttar Pradesh.

'Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain' 2023

• Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain- 2023 was launched by the President of India Draupadi Murmu on 4 March 2023.
• Catch the Rain- 2023 is the fourth installment of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan series, which was launched in 2019 in 256 water stressed districts.
• It was later expanded across India in 2021 and 2022.
• This year the campaign was implemented from 04.03.2023 to 30.11.2023, focusing on strengthening drinking water sources in 150 water stressed districts identified by Jal Jeevan Mission.
• The theme of Catch the Rain- 2023 was “Source Sustainability for Drinking Water”.