Madhya Pradesh bags

• 18 May 2023

Why in News?

Madhya Pradesh has been selected by the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti for the first place in the best state category in the National Water Award, 2022, for its excellent work in management conservation and augmentation of water resources.

Key Points

• It may be noted that under the 4th National Water Awards, awards will be given to States, Organizations, individuals etc. in 11 different categories by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• These categories include- Best State, Best District, Best Gram Panchayat, Best Urban Local Body, Best Media (Print & Electronic), Best School, Best Institution for Campus Use in the category of RWA/Religious/Higher Educational Institution, Best Industry, Best NGO, Best Water User Association and Best Industry for CSR activity being awarded.
• The award winners in various categories will be presented with citations, trophies and cash prizes. The cash prize is Rs 2 lakh, Rs 1.5 lakh and Rs 1 lakh for the first, second and third positions respectively.
• Various components in the best state category – achievements of Jal Jeevan Mission and Jal Shakti Abhiyan, efforts for conservation and promotion of water resources, water policy, use of micro irrigation technology in place of traditional methods of irrigation, implementation of new micro irrigation projects, efforts and achievements in the areas of efficiency of water use, restoration of water structures, treatment and reuse of sewage and industrial waste water, etc. are evaluated.
• National Water Awards (NWAs) are given to identify and encourage exemplary work and efforts made by the States, Districts, individuals, organizations, etc. throughout the country in fulfilling the vision of Jal Samruddha Bharat of the Government.
• The objective is to make people aware of the importance of water and motivate them to adopt best water use practices.
• The objective of the National Water Awards is to encourage stakeholders to adopt a holistic approach towards water resource management in the country as surface water and groundwater play an important role in the water cycle.
• To fulfill these objectives, the department introduced the first edition of National Water Awards in 2018. The prize distribution ceremony was held on February 25, 2019 at New Delhi and 82 winners were awarded under 14 categories.
• The 2nd National Water Awards 2019 was held in which the Vice President of India felicitated 98 winners in 16 categories on November 11-12, 2020.
• The 3rd National Water Awards was held on March 29, 2022, wherein the then President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, honored 57 winners in 11 categories. In the third National Water Awards, Uttar Pradesh got the first prize in the 'Best State' category for the best performance towards water conservation.