Dhamtari district’s water conservation initiative bags PM’s Award

Raipur: Dhamtari district in Chhattisgarh was conferred the Prime Minister's Excellence Award 2023 in the Innovation category for its GIS-based water conservation plan. This multi-layered initiative significantly improved water management across the district.
The project involved revitalising existing water structures and implementing targeted interventions that led to the creation of 26 new Amrit Sarovars, 156 rainwater harvesting structures, and expanded agricultural potential across 472 acres. Using GIS technology, customised maps were developed for each panchayat, facilitating data-driven planning and the strategic development of essential water infrastructure at the grassroots level. These efforts, led by then district collector Namrata Gandhi, enhanced water availability and empowered local communities with sustainable water solutions.
A comprehensive GIS-based framework, developed with technical support from Upendra Singh Chandel, District Informatics Officer, NIC Dhamtari, transformed the district's water conservation strategy. The framework integrated data from the Jal Doot App, the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), INDIA WRIS, and NIT Raipur survey data.
The initiative yielded several impactful outcomes, including hydrological mapping to identify water-stressed zones through overlay analyses of aquifer characteristics, land use, and rainfall patterns. It enabled the identification of priority areas for constructing check dams, recharge wells, and rainwater harvesting structures, along with seasonal groundwater analysis to assess pre- and post-monsoon water levels.
A GIS-enabled Water Body Inventory—developed using satellite imagery and drone surveys—was created to monitor the health, encroachments, and conservation status of water bodies. Mobile applications were also introduced to crowdsource water conservation efforts during the Jal Jagar Mah Utsav. Real-time progress tracking is now possible through GIS dashboards, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Despite these significant efforts, data from the Jal Doot App indicates a declining water table, underscoring challenges such as overdraft due to the cultivation of 60,000 hectares of summer paddy and over 32,000 borewells. As of March 2023, 98 gram panchayats faced spot source failures under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). Declining reservoir levels and growing reports of water scarcity remain concerns.
To address these issues, a 24x7 JJM call centre was launched in March 2024. Of the 732 complaints received, 663 were resolved, significantly improving public service delivery.
Under Gandhi's leadership, the district shifted from infrastructure-centric approaches to behaviour-driven, sustainable practices. These included promoting crop diversification—from summer paddy to millets and pulses—and advocating for rooftop rainwater harvesting in urban and industrial areas. A platform called SATHI was launched to encourage collaboration between civil society and govt, fostering community ownership.
A workshop conducted by the CGWB brought together departments such as Public Health Engineering (PHE), Agriculture, Forest, Urban Development, and MGNREGA to map recharge zones and plan interventions. It also focused on linking urban rooftop harvesting systems to alluvial recharge zones and identifying causes of spot source failures, such as water divide locations and poor recharge potential.
Industries were mapped against local groundwater levels, revealing widespread non-compliance with CGWB norms. Following the collector's directive, flow meters were installed at water sources, and renovation of 198 rooftop rainwater harvesting systems in industrial areas was initiated. As a result, 136 notices were issued for non-compliance, and 99 industries applied for usage permissions. A single-window system under the General Manager of the District Industries Centre (GMDIC) was introduced to streamline industry facilitation.
The Clean Gangrel Campaign in February 2024 mobilised 29 organisations and recovered 35 mini-truckloads of plastic waste. Proposals have been made for an eco-tourism plan and a single-use plastic ban around the Gangrel reservoir. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), South East Central Railway (SECR), and Asian Development Bank (ADB) collaborated to link excavation activities with Amrit Sarovar construction, of which 102 were completed and 12 are underway. Linear road projects also incorporated injection wells in recharge-deficient zones; 66 are planned and 17 have been implemented.
Gandhi's approach exemplified convergent governance, scientific planning, behaviour change, and community engagement. Under her stewardship, Dhamtari emerged as a model of innovation in water conservation, earning national recognition through the PM's Excellence Award 2023.