Nimar Districts Receive National Water Awards

Khandwa district (East Nimar) has delivered an outstanding performance in the Government of India’s “Jal Sanchay, Jan Bhagidari” campaign. President Droupadi Murmu honored Khandwa for securing the first position in the Southern Region, First Category during a ceremony held on 18 November at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.

Khandwa Collector Rishav Gupta and District Panchayat CEO Nagarjun Gowda received the award on behalf of the district. Several other winners in various water conservation categories were also honored during the event, which included the presentation of the 6th National Water Awards and the “Jal Sanchay, Jan Bhagidari” awards.

Khandwa Sets New National Record

The statement revealed that under the campaign, Khandwa constructed and registered more than 1,29,020 water conservation structures, setting a national record. This performance significantly surpassed the minimum target of 10,000 structures set for each district under the initiative launched on 6 September 2024 in Surat.

These efforts have not only improved groundwater levels considerably but have also ensured the optimum use of rainwater, strengthening long-term water security for future generations.

₹2 Crore Incentive for Khandwa

Recognizing the district’s exceptional performance, the Government of India awarded ₹2 crore as an incentive to Khandwa. According to an official, the amount will be utilized for future water conservation projects and district development programs.

Guna Municipality Also Awarded

President Murmu also honored the Guna Municipal Council for its excellent work in the field of water conservation and its selection among the country's top 50 urban bodies.

The council implemented a well-planned water harvesting strategy, uploading geo-tagged photographs of 2,231 rainwater harvesting systems to the official portal—exceeding its target. Additionally, several traditional wells in the urban area were renovated as part of the initiative.