Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) is a nationwide campaign initiated by the Ministry of Jal Shakti in India to address water scarcity and promote efficient water management. One of the key components of this campaign is the “Catch the Rain” initiative, which aims to conserve rainwater through the construction of Rainwater Harvesting Structures (RWHS) across the country.
The campaign was first launched in 2019 and has continued to be implemented in subsequent years. In 2020, the focus was on creating awareness and promoting rainwater harvesting through the “Catch the Rain” campaign. This initiative emphasized the need for people\’s active participation in constructing suitable RWHS according to local climatic conditions and sub-soil strata.
In 2021 and 2022, the “Catch the Rain” campaign was integrated into the broader Jal Shakti Abhiyan, which encompassed all districts in the country. The campaign aimed to promote water conservation and resource management by implementing targeted interventions in water-stressed districts. These interventions included activities like water conservation and rainwater harvesting, renovation of water bodies, borewell recharge, watershed development, and afforestation.
Now, in 2023, the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain campaign is being carried out from March to November, covering both urban and rural areas in all districts of the country. The key focus for this year\’s campaign is on ensuring source sustainability in 150 water-stressed districts identified by the Jal Jeevan Mission. The aim is to encourage individuals, communities, and stakeholders to actively participate in saving and conserving rainwater for long-term water security.
