Catch the Rain
Prelims:
Environment
& Ecology, Geography, Agriculture
Mains:
GS
Paper II-Government Policies and Interventions, GS Paper III- Environment,
Agriculture, Disaster and Disaster Management
Current relevance:
Prime Minister's appeal during the 135th episode of Mann Ki Baat
(28 June 2026), the Government launched a nationwide "Catch the
Rain" campaign from 4 July to 4 August 2026.
Highlights:
1.
Catch the Rain (CTR) is the flagship
water conservation campaign of the Ministry of Jal Shakti aimed at
promoting rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and sustainable water
management. The campaign encourages every citizen and institution to convert
rainfall into a valuable water resource through local, low-cost, and
community-driven interventions.
2.
Major
Activities under the Campaign:
i.
Promote
rainwater harvesting systems in homes, institutions, and workplaces.
ii.
Install
recharge pits and recharge shafts to replenish groundwater.
iii.
Restore
baolis, wells, ponds, and other traditional water bodies.
iv.
Remove
silt from ponds and reservoirs to enhance water storage capacity.
v.
Increase
tree plantation in water retention areas to improve groundwater recharge
and ecological sustainability.
3.
Background:
i.
Jal
Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) is a community-based water conservation initiative launched
by the Ministry of Jal Shakti to transform water conservation into a Jan
Andolan (people's movement).
ii.
The
programme focuses on creating groundwater recharge structures through active
participation of citizens, local bodies, CSR initiatives, and convergence
with government schemes.
iii.
The initiative follows a Whole-of-Government
and Whole-of-Society approach, encouraging scientifically designed,
locally appropriate, and low-cost solutions for water security.
4.
Jal
Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) 1.0(2024)
i.
It
was based on the 3Cs—Community, CSR, and Cost-effective interventions to
promote groundwater recharge and revive defunct borewells through public
participation.
ii.
The initiative exceeded its target by creating
over 27 lakh artificial recharge structures against the target of 10
lakh across the country.
iii.
Outstanding performers of JSJB 1.0 were
honoured during the 6th National Water Awards (2025).
5.
Jal
Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) 2.0(2025)
i.
Focused
on accelerating groundwater recharge in Over-Exploited and Critical
districts through low-cost, hyper-local interventions.
ii.
The
initiative reported over 1.5 crore groundwater recharge structures against
the target of one crore.
6.
Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari: Catch the Rain
i.
In
2026, it launched by integrating JSJB with the Jal Shakti Abhiyan:
Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR) campaign.
ii.
Implemented
through convergence with major Central and State Government schemes to
strengthen climate resilience and water security.
iii.
Driven
by Jan Bhagidari, involving Panchayati Raj Institutions, Urban Local
Bodies, women's groups, youth, educational institutions, civil society
organisations, and local communities in water conservation efforts.
7.
Jal
Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain
i.
It
was launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister on World Water Day (22 March
2021) with the theme “Catch the Rain, where it falls, when it
falls.”
ii.
It builds upon the success of the Jal Shakti
Abhiyan 2019, which focused on water-stressed regions through a Jan
Andolan approach.
8. Jal Shakti
Kendras (JSKs) are
district-level knowledge and facilitation centres established under the Jal
Shakti Abhiyan. They serve as local resource centres for planning,
technical guidance, awareness generation, and coordination of water
conservation activities.
9. “Catch
the Rain -Through this mission, we have to collectively save every drop of
rainwater. My special appeal to save every single drop of rainwater
collectively.” ~
Hon’ble PM. Shri. Narendra Modi