Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo directs geo-tagging of all water bodies for their effective conservation, reviews implementation of Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain Campaign

SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today directed the Forest Department to compulsorily undertake geo-tagging of all water bodies across Jammu and Kashmir to facilitate their protection, conservation, and scientific management. He issued these directions while chairing a high-level meeting convened to review the progress of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR) campaign being implemented throughout the Union Territory.

The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti Department, Shaleen Kabra; Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF); Commissioner Secretary, Forests; Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department; Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir; Secretary, School Education; Secretary, Rural Development Department (RDD) and other senior officers. Deputy Commissioners of all districts participated through video conferencing.

The Chief Secretary underscored the need for seamless coordination between the Jal Shakti Department, Forest Department, and RDD to ensure comprehensive identification and geo-referencing of all water bodies both in forest and non-forest areas within the next month. He stressed that this exercise is crucial to formulating future strategies for conservation and must be completed before the onset of snowfall in the winter zone areas.

Calling for concerted and time-bound action, the Chief Secretary maintained that we must act with urgency to mitigate the challenges posed by climate change and ensure that our water resources are secure for future generations. Every department must play its designated role under the key interventions of the Catch the Rain programme.

Speaking on the occasion, ACS, Jal Shakti Department, Shaleen Kabra, highlighted that the Jal Shakti Abhiyan provides a robust platform to assess and accelerate progress in water conservation and management across the region. He observed that the campaign is now transitioning from the planning phase to intensive, community-driven implementation, emphasizing that water security and sustainability form the core objectives of the initiative.

The ACS informed that 100% District Water Conservation Plans (DWCPs) have been prepared and uploaded for all 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir on the JSA Portal. This achievement, he said, provides a scientific framework for effective and sustainable management of water resources across the UT. The meeting also reviewed the progress made in districtsincluding Doda, Ganderbal, Jammu, Bandipora, and Ramban. It was briefed about the post-monsoon visit reports of Central Nodal Officers, which have already been uploaded on the JSA portal.

It was reiterated that the Jal Shakti Abhiyan continues to align its activities around the five key interventions constitutes Water Conservation and Rainwater Harvesting, Renovation of Traditional and Other Water Bodies, Reuse of Water and Recharge Structures, Watershed Development, and Intensive Afforestation. Officials apprised the Chief Secretary that the campaign emphasizes inter-sectoral convergence, with works being undertaken through existing resources and funding channels such as MGNREGS, Finance Commission Grants, and local funds—ensuring that no separate JSA funds are utilized.

It was noted that the ‘Catch the Rain’ campaign forms a key pillar in the Government’s strategy to combat water scarcity and ensure long-term sustainability. The initiative seeks full convergence of departmental efforts with the guiding principle of “Catch the rain, where it falls, when it falls.” By integrating science-based planning, geo-tagging, and community participation, the campaign aims to build climate resilience and water security for generations to come.