JalJeevanSamvad-March-2021-en

Jal Jeevan Samvad – March 2021, Special Issue (Issue VI, Year 2021), titled “Empowering Women”, highlights the transformative role of women in the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission and the achievement of Har Ghar Jal. The issue showcases how women are being placed at the centre of rural water management through their participation in Village Water & Sanitation Committees/Pani Samitis, water-quality testing, water governance and operation and maintenance of water-supply systems. It presents inspiring stories of women working as Jal Mitras, valve operators, engineers and water analysts, demonstrating their growing participation in traditionally male-dominated areas of the water sector. A major focus of the issue is water security and sustainable water management. It discusses the preparation of five-year Village Action Plans (VAPs) covering drinking-water sources, household tap connections, greywater treatment, operation and maintenance, and water supply for livestock in water-scarce areas. The issue also highlights rainwater harvesting, aquifer recharge, restoration of traditional water bodies, watershed development and afforestation as important measures for strengthening water security. The publication also covers the Jal Shakti Abhiyan – Catch the Rain campaign launched on World Water Day, 22 March 2021, calling for people's participation in conserving every drop of rainwater. It connects water conservation with water security, socio-economic development and reduced dependence on groundwater. Another important theme is drinking-water quality monitoring and surveillance. The issue highlights the Water Quality Management Information System (WQMIS), public access to water-testing laboratories, online reporting of test results and community-based surveillance for ensuring safe drinking water. The issue also records progress under Jal Jeevan Mission, including the increase in rural household tap-water coverage and the continued objective of providing tap-water connections to all rural households.