What are the salient features of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan launched by the Government of India for water conservation and water security?

To tackle the increasing water crisis in the country, GoI launched a time-bound, mission-mode water conservation campaign namely Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA).

Key features:

1. Aims at making water conservation a Jan Andolan through asset creation and extensive communication.

2. A collaborative campaign of various Central Ministries and the State Governments being coordinated by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS).

3. Focuses on accelerated implementation of five targeted interventions

a. Water conservation and rainwater harvesting

b. Renovation of traditional water bodies

c. Reuse and recharge structures

d. Watershed development

e. Intensive afforestation

4. Development of Block and District Water Conservation Plans.

5. Encompasses Krishi Vigyan Kendra Melas, to promote efficient water use for irrigation (Per Drop More Crop), and better choice of crops for water conservation.

6. Promote urban waste water reuse, for industrial and agriculture purposes.

Despite being a wonderful initiative, it has its own issues, such as lack of financial support and absence of any parameter to measure the outcomes, which needs to be addressed to make it a successful campaign.