THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
NEW DELHI, AUGUST 1, 2026
Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's
call in the 135th episode of Mann Ki Baat
on June 28, 2026, to conserve every drop of rainwater, Odisha has significantly
intensified its efforts under the Catch the Rain 2026 campaign, translating
public awareness into measurable action for water conservation. The state has
adopted a comprehensive strategy that promotes rainwater harvesting,
groundwater recharge, restoration of traditional water bodies, ecological
sustainability, and active citizen participation, creating a strong foundation
for long-term water security.
The campaign has witnessed remarkable progress
through a multi-pronged approach that combines community outreach, behavioural
change, institutional participation, and the creation of water conservation
assets. A massive public awareness drive was carried out across the state
through 968 Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities,
including street plays, folk performances, community engagement programmes, and
awareness campaigns on rainwater harvesting and groundwater conservation. These
initiatives reached communities across multiple districts, with Khordha leading
the campaign by organising 230 IEC activities, followed by Angul with 124.
Cuttack, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Nabarangpur, and
Subarnapur each conducted 62 activities, while Mayurbhanj organised 60,
Nayagarh and Puri hosted 50 each, and Ganjam carried out 20 activities,
reflecting the extensive reach of the campaign and enthusiastic public
participation across Odisha.
Educational institutions have also emerged as
key partners in driving the movement. Awareness programmes, induction sessions,
and technical interactions have introduced students to groundwater science,
hydrological processes, and rainwater harvesting systems. These initiatives are
aimed at nurturing informed citizens who can champion water conservation within
their communities and contribute to sustained behavioural change, thereby
creating a new generation of water ambassadors.
Moving beyond awareness, Odisha has made
significant strides in creating water conservation infrastructure. A total of
905 rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge structures have been
completed across the state. These include 849 Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting
(RRWH) structures, comprising 21 in government buildings and 828 in private
buildings, along with 56 recharge shafts specifically designed to enhance
groundwater replenishment.
District-wise achievements demonstrate the
widespread implementation of the initiative. Ganjam has completed 330 RRWH
structures, followed by Khordha with 121, Mayurbhanj with 94, Cuttack with 62,
Sambalpur with 54, Sundargarh with 53, Kendrapara with 48, Jharsuguda with 25,
Bargarh with 16, Puri with 13, Nayagarh with 12, Angul with 10, Nabarangpur
with 7, and Balangir with 4. Additionally, 45 recharge shafts have been
constructed in Jajpur, 10 in Kendrapara, and one in Sundargarh, making a
significant contribution to groundwater recharge efforts under #CatchtheRain.
The significance of these achievements extends
well beyond the number of completed structures. They represent a transition
from awareness to adoption, where communities are actively participating in
water conservation. A household that installs a rainwater harvesting system
becomes an active stakeholder in local water management, while a recharge shaft
creates a vital connection between surface rainfall and groundwater reserves.
Together, these interventions have the potential to strengthen irrigation,
improve local water availability, and reduce the growing pressure on
groundwater resources.
Alongside the development of new recharge
infrastructure, Odisha has placed equal emphasis on reviving its traditional
water assets. Under the State Plan's Improvement to Tanks and Minor Irrigation
Projects Scheme, 98 tanks spread across all 30 districts have been taken up for
renovation and desilting. The restoration of these tanks is enhancing their
storage capacity, enabling greater retention of monsoon runoff, supporting
irrigation, improving local water availability, and contributing to groundwater
recharge. This initiative reinforces the enduring importance of traditional
water bodies in strengthening rural water security and enhancing resilience to
climate change.
Complementing these efforts are plantation
drives undertaken across irrigation projects, groundwater offices, and water
infrastructure sites. These initiatives are improving soil stability, reducing
erosion, enhancing groundwater infiltration, and supporting healthier catchment
ecosystems. Such ecological measures are contributing to the long-term
sustainability of water resources while strengthening resilience against
climate variability.
Odisha's Catch the Rain Campaign has emerged as a powerful example of how community participation can accelerate water conservation outcomes. By integrating awareness generation, behavioural change, institutional engagement, restoration of traditional water bodies, ecological interventions, and the creation of groundwater recharge infrastructure, the state is building a comprehensive and sustainable framework for water management.
As the campaign gathers momentum, Odisha is reinforcing the principle that water security becomes truly effective when citizens actively participate in conserving, harvesting, and recharging the rain that falls within their own communities. The initiative reflects the broader objective of Catch the Rain — transforming seasonal rainfall into a long-term resource for sustainable development, climate resilience, and enduring water security.
