Balod's ‘More Village More Water’ campaign becomes a mass movement

Balod's ‘More Village More Water’ campaign becomes a mass movement 2.85 lakh water structures increased water storage capacity In Raipur, Chhattisgarh, the ‘More Village More Water’ campaign is no longer just a government scheme but a successful mass movement to conserve water and raise groundwater levels in rural areas. Participation, voluntary labor and active involvement of women self-help groups gave this campaign unprecedented success. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai and guidance of Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Panchayat and Rural Development Shri Vijay Sharma, a major water conservation revolution is taking shape in Chhattisgarh. The state's ‘Developed India Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission Rural’ (VBG-Ramji) scheme’s ‘More Village More Water’ campaign has now turned into a statewide mass movement. In this context, Balod district has achieved a significant milestone in water security and natural resource management. 19.23 lakh cubic meters of additional water storage capacity developed Balod district administration, coordinating community participation, has so far constructed or revived 2.85 lakh water conservation structures. Through these structures, about 19.23 lakh cubic meters of additional water storage capacity has been created. This important initiative will lead to noticeable improvement in groundwater table, maintain soil moisture in fields, and provide assured irrigation for both kharif and rabi crops, increasing farmers’ income. “Where there is rain, when it rains – rainwater should be harvested” Under the campaign, rooftop rainwater harvesting systems have been installed in every government building in the district. Additionally, surface water harvesting structures such as recharge shafts, check dams, ponds, trenches and soak pits are being built. Idle borewells are being recharged, and deepening of ponds and construction of check dams are being accelerated. Community participation drives green development with 3 lakh seed balls planted The biggest strength of this campaign is the local people and social organisations. Women self‑help groups, village development committees, women commandos, green army and school‑college students are actively involved in pond cleanliness and tree planting. By July, more than 3 lakh seed balls have been planted, while an ambitious target of 2 lakh saplings has been set. District‑wise development works snapshot (major achievements) Several ground‑level works have been carried out in various gram panchayats: 1,200‑meter trench in Arjuni of Gurur block, mixed fruit orchard on one hectare in Kuliya, and a CC check‑dam near Gauthan in Chandanbirhi. Similarly, a 27,000‑litre recharge pit in Kongni of Gundardehi block, a 6,750‑litre rainwater harvesting structure in Belaudi, a 2.82‑lakh‑litre well in Tavera, a 5‑kLD grey‑water treatment plant in Ghabdi, a 5‑litre rainwater harvester in Chirchar, a 25,000‑litre magic pit in Khursuni, a 30‑thousand‑litre failed bore recharge shaft in Mundera, a 16‑lakh‑litre livelihood pit in Mahud (B) and a check‑dam in Odarskari. Additionally, a 25,000‑litre recharge pit has been constructed in Khursuni gram panchayat. In Daudni’s Singhanvahi, a 12‑lakh‑litre private livelihood pit was built and 4,700 trenches for 35‑lakh‑litre water storage in Gujara. Widespread seed‑ball planting The district administration, with the motto “Water conservation, community participation towards water prosperity”, is continuously working to make Balod fully water‑secure and prosperous. Villagers have voluntarily dug millions of soak pits and water‑storage structures, achieving results beyond the target.