Uttar Pradesh Won First Prize in Water Awards

• 08 Jan 2022

Why in News

• On January 7, 2022, Uttar Pradesh bagged the first prize in the 'Best State Category' of the Union Ministry of Water Affairs' National Water Awards 2020. Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu bagged the second and third prizes respectively in the Best State (General) category.

Key Points

• This is the third edition of the award given for adopting a holistic approach towards water resource management in India.
• A total of 57 awards were announced in 11 categories, including Best State, District, Panchayat and Best Industry.
• This year in the district category North Zone, the award was given to Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh, while Balua of Varanasi won the award for 'Best Gram Panchayat-North Zone'.
• To meet the objective of effective abatement of pollution, conservation and rejuvenation of rivers, water quality in major rivers including Ganga has improved significantly in Uttar Pradesh. The State Government has set up 104 Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) with a capacity of 3,298.84 MLD (Million Liters Daily) in the State.
• Due to this the streams of the rivers have become uninterrupted and pure and the drains found in the rivers have been closed. Under 'Namami Gange', not only the Ganga, but the condition of all the major rivers including Gomti, Saryu, Yamuna, Rapti have improved due to intensive cleanliness drives.
• The Rural Water Supply Department of the State Government has completed preparations to connect more than 18 lakh families with water supply in the first phase of Har Ghar Nal Yojana under the Jal Jeevan Mission and the Namami Gange program of the Central Government.
• In 2018, the National Water Awards were instituted to recognize and encourage the exemplary work and efforts done by states, districts, individuals and organizations in achieving the vision of a water-rich Indian government across the country.