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Catch the Rain Campaign

Kumari Sonali

Catch the Rain Campaign:

The Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari: Catch the Rain (JSJB: CTR) 2026 initiative has strengthened India’s community-led water conservation efforts, integrating rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and restoration of water bodies.

  • The Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR) campaign was launched on 22nd March 2021, coinciding with World Water Day, under the theme “Catch the Rain, Where It Falls, When It Falls.”
  • Builds upon the Jal Shakti Abhiyan, 2019, which covered 1,592 water-stressed blocks across 256 districts to promote water conservation and groundwater recharge.
  • Promotes rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, rejuvenation of traditional water bodies, watershed development and afforestation through community participation.
  • Objectives:
    • Installation of rainwater harvesting systems, recharge pits and recharge shafts in residential, institutional and public spaces.
    • Revival of traditional wells, baolis, ponds and abandoned borewells to strengthen groundwater recharge.
    • Desilting of ponds and reservoirs to improve water storage capacity and monsoon water retention.
    • Afforestation and catchment-area protection to enhance ecological resilience and water conservation.
    • Promotes water conservation as a Jan Andolan (people’s movement) involving citizens, local governments, educational institutions and civil society organisations.
    • Jal Shakti Kendras (JSKs): Function as district-level knowledge and facilitation centres, providing technical guidance and supporting local water conservation planning.

Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari:

  1. Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 1.0 (2024) Implemented from April 2024 to May 2025, JSJB 1.0 promoted community-driven water conservation through locally appropriate groundwater recharge and water storage structures.
    • Three Cs Approach: Based on Community, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Cost, encouraging public participation, private-sector contributions and low-cost interventions.
    • Integrated resources from existing government schemes through a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approach.
    • More than 10 lakh groundwater recharge structures were constructed, with over 27 lakh artificial recharge structures reported during the initiative.
  2. Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 2.0 (2025)
    •  Launched on 1st June 2025, JSJB 2.0 expanded community-led water conservation efforts, particularly in over-exploited and critical groundwater districts.
    • Emphasised low-cost, hyper-local groundwater recharge interventions, revival of water sources and community ownership.
    • Outstanding contributions under JSJB 1.0 were recognised during the 6th National Water Awards in November 2025.
  3. Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari: Catch the Rain (2026)
    • Launched on 1st June 2026, it integrates JSJB with the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain campaign to strengthen water conservation and climate resilience.
    • Mobilises resources from programmes such as VB-G RAM G, PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), CAMPA, Finance Commission Grants and State Government schemes.
    • Local Participation: Involves Panchayati Raj Institutions, Urban Local Bodies, women’s groups, youth, educational institutions and civil society organisations in planning and implementation.
    • Uses the JSJB: CTR Portal and mobile application to support transparency, progress monitoring and public feedback.
  4. Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR)
    • Building on JSA 2019: The campaign builds on Jal Shakti Abhiyan 2019, which covered 1,592 water-stressed blocks across 256 districts and promoted water conservation and rainwater harvesting.
    • It promotes rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, watershed development, rejuvenation of water bodies, afforestation and community participation through a Jan Andolan approach.
    • The campaign has been implemented annually, with its themes and focus areas evolving over time.