The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is participating as a Partner Ministry in the 8th India Water Week and Exhibition, scheduled to be held from 17th to 20th September 2024 at Bharat Mandapam, Hall No. 12A, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The theme, “Partnerships and Cooperation for Inclusive Water Development and Management”, aligns with the commitment of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj to advancing sustainable water practices in rural India for which it is promoting Water-sufficient Villages as part of its endeavour on Localisation of Sustainable Development Goals through targeted Panchayat Development Plans by way of convergence of resources.

The Ministry’s Exhibition Stall will showcase the best practices in water management from Gram Panchayats across the country starting from water conservation, rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, water distribution, rationing in water distribution etc. A notable example is the Kothar Gram Panchayat of Pauri Garhwal District in Uttarakhand, where a water tank has been constructed at the base of a mountain to collect water, which is then distributed to nearby villages through a pump house. This project reflects the Gram Panchayat’s dedication to implementing practical, innovative solutions to ensure water sufficiency.

Additionally, the innovative approach of Keinou Gram Panchayat in Manipur to supply RO+UV water to the villagers through setting up of Water ATM kiosk,  community efforts in water conservation and management by other Gram Panchayats such as Vanghmun (District – Jampui Hills, Tripura), Chiluvuru (District – Guntur, Andhra Pradesh), Birganj (District – Gomati, Tripura), Hiware Bazar (District – Ahmednagar, Maharashtra), Bajarwada (District – Wardha, Maharashtra), and Khursapar (District – Nagpur, Maharashtra) will be highlighted.

The Water Sufficient Panchayat Theme is one of the nine Themes of the Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs). It aims to ensure clean water access, promote sanitation, and embrace sustainable water management. All nine Themes, conceptualized by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in collaboration with various Ministries and Departments, are interconnected and work in tandem to achieve comprehensive development goals in rural areas.

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj recognizes the critical role that Gram Panchayats play in addressing water challenges in rural India. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj urges Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), local residents in rural areas, other key stakeholders and the media to actively participate in this noble, people-oriented cause. The success of these initiatives relies heavily on public awareness and collective action, as water management in rural areas is a shared responsibility.

The 8th India Water Week provides an excellent opportunity to engage all stakeholders in this mission. Representatives of a few well-performing Panchayats under the Water Sufficient Panchayat Theme of LSDGs will be participating in the 8th India Water Week, as Delegates. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has taken a significant step by encouraging the participation of Elected Representatives from Gram Panchayats across India at India Water Week–2024. This initiative reflects the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring grassroots involvement in national discussions on water management.

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has consistently promoted water sufficiency through various conferences, workshops, capacity building, training and incentivization interventions, and regular dialogue with the key stakeholders, including elected representatives and functionaries of Panchayats. A National Conference on LSDGs focusing on Water Sufficient Panchayats and Clean and Green Panchayats was held on 16th April 2022 as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) Iconic Week. This was followed by a National Thematic Workshop on the same Themes from 22nd to 24th September 2022 in Pune, Maharashtra. A National Conference on LSDGs was organized on 20th April 2023, in the lead-up to National Panchayati Raj Day (24th April 2023), focusing on Healthy Panchayats, Water Sufficient Panchayats, and Clean and Green Panchayats

These conferences and workshops have created platforms for well-performing Panchayats to share their best practices, encouraging a nationwide movement towards water sustainability. In line with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision for Viksit Bharat, Panchayats are playing a vital role in advancing action on water management, water conservation, and ensuring clean potable water in rural areas, thus contributing significantly to the Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs) and India’s journey towards a prosperous and sustainable future.

Ministry of Panchayati Raj has been incentivizing best performing Panchayats through National Panchayat Awards. These awards have been revamped and launched during the year 2022 aligning them with 9 Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs) Themes aggregating 17 SDGs. Accordingly, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has introduced an incentive mechanism for well-performing Panchayats under the Water Sufficient Panchayat Theme, encouraging others to adopt similar best practices. These exemplary Panchayats are provided national platforms to share their achievements, inspiring others to replicate successful water management initiatives in their own Gram Panchayats. Progress is also monitored through the Panchayat Development Index (PDI), fostering accountability and continuous improvement.

During the 8th India Water Week, a Thematic Session on Best Practices in the Water Sector will emphasize successful initiatives from various States and Union Territories across India. This session aims to foster cross-State collaboration and highlight models that can be replicated to address water challenges nationwide.

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