Odisha has been recognised as the top winner in the 5th National Water Awards 2023, with Uttar Pradesh securing the second spot, the Ministry of Jal Shakti said on Monday. Gujarat and Puducherry jointly secured the third spot in the awards, which cover nine categories, honour outstanding contributions to water conservation and management across India.Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil announced the results. The award ceremony, set to be held on October 22, will be presided over by President Droupadi Murmu.Odisha's remarkable achievements in water conservation include the construction of over 53,000 water conservation and rainwater harvesting structures and the renovation of 11,000 traditional water bodies, a senior official said.Additionally, 21,000 wastewater treatment plants were set up, transforming over 90,900 hectares of irrigated land to micro-irrigation systems, benefitting 87,000 farmers. The state has also made significant strides in afforestation, completing the plantation of 9 crore saplings, the official said.Uttar Pradesh, ranked second, was praised for its efforts under the Jal Jeevan Mission, where more than 17,900 villages were provided tap water connections, benefitting over 1.91 crore households, the Jal Shakti ministry said.The state has also made strides in wastewater management, constructing 133 sewage treatment plants (STPs) with a combined capacity of 4,100 MLD to reduce pollution in the Ganga River, it said.Furthermore, Uttar Pradesh has built or rejuvenated 14,679 'Amrit Sarovars' and undertaken extensive rainwater harvesting initiatives in recent years.Puducherry, a joint third prize winner, was recognised for renovating 84 tanks, increasing water storage capacity, and desilting 190 village ponds.In 2023, the Union Territory also provided 1,14,900 households with tap connections and built 850 rooftop rainwater harvesting structures in industries and educational institutions, according to the ministry.Gujarat, sharing the third spot, was acknowledged for achieving 100 per cent tap water connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission, covering 25 lakh households. The state also expanded micro-irrigation coverage, benefitting over 14 lakh farmers.
Odisha has been recognised as the top winner in the 5th National Water Awards 2023, with Uttar Pradesh securing the second spot, the Ministry of Jal Shakti said on Monday. Gujarat and Puducherry jointly secured the third spot in the awards, which cover nine categories, honour outstanding contributions to water conservation and management across India.Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil announced the results. The award ceremony, set to be held on October 22, will be presided over by President Droupadi Murmu.Odisha's remarkable achievements in water conservation include the construction of over 53,000 water conservation and rainwater harvesting structures and the renovation of 11,000 traditional water bodies, a senior official said.Additionally, 21,000 wastewater treatment plants were set up, transforming over 90,900 hectares of irrigated land to micro-irrigation systems, benefitting 87,000 farmers. The state has also made significant strides in afforestation, completing the plantation of 9 crore saplings, the official said.Uttar Pradesh, ranked second, was praised for its efforts under the Jal Jeevan Mission, where more than 17,900 villages were provided tap water connections, benefitting over 1.91 crore households, the Jal Shakti ministry said.The state has also made strides in wastewater management, constructing 133 sewage treatment plants (STPs) with a combined capacity of 4,100 MLD to reduce pollution in the Ganga River, it said.Furthermore, Uttar Pradesh has built or rejuvenated 14,679 'Amrit Sarovars' and undertaken extensive rainwater harvesting initiatives in recent years.Puducherry, a joint third prize winner, was recognised for renovating 84 tanks, increasing water storage capacity, and desilting 190 village ponds.In 2023, the Union Territory also provided 1,14,900 households with tap connections and built 850 rooftop rainwater harvesting structures in industries and educational institutions, according to the ministry.Gujarat, sharing the third spot, was acknowledged for achieving 100 per cent tap water connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission, covering 25 lakh households. The state also expanded micro-irrigation coverage, benefitting over 14 lakh farmers.
