Sujalam Sufalam Jal Abhiyan Enhances Water Storage Capacity in Gujarat

Key Facts

• Launched by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on 23 February 2026 from Gandhinagar.
• Increased Gujarat’s water storage by 20,789 lakh cubic feet in 2026; cumulative increase of 1,38,039 lakh cubic feet over eight years (2018-2026).
• Implemented 13,315 water conservation works by May 2026, comprising 2,450 pond deepening projects, 3,661 check dam desilting works, and 1,160 check dam repairs.
• Generated over 2.30 lakh man-days of employment in 2026.
• Works also included cleaning of canals totaling 626 km and drainage channels of 1,277 km in 2026.
• Mesri River in Godhra (Panchmahal district) is undergoing desilting and restoration under the scheme with community participation as of June 2026.
• Recognized nationally with the Platinum SKOCH Award in 2020 and Gold SKOCH Award in 2021.

Background & Context

The Sujalam Sufalam Jal Abhiyan is a flagship water conservation program of Gujarat state under the national "Catch the Rain" campaign launched by the Government of India. The aim is to enhance water storage capacity through rejuvenation of traditional water bodies like ponds and lakes, desilting and repair of check dams, groundwater recharge, and canal maintenance. The campaign uses a multi-departmental coordinated approach involving Water Resources, Forest and Environment, Urban and Rural Development, Agriculture, and Narmada Nigam departments alongside public participation, including under MGNREGA employment schemes.

Between 2018 and 2024, over 1,07,608 water conservation works were undertaken, including nearly 37,000 new lakes created and over 24,000 check dams desilted. These efforts have cumulatively added 1,19,144 to 1,38,039 lakh cubic feet of water storage capacity (figures vary slightly by source) and generated around 199 to 206 lakh man-days of employment.

Why This Matters for Exams / Exam Relevance

This campaign is relevant for competitive exams for topics on environmental conservation, water resource management, and flagship state and central government initiatives. Important aspects include the campaign's objectives to increase water security, inter-departmental coordination, significant employment generation, and national recognition through awards. Key factual data such as launch dates, volumes of water storage created, number and types of works completed, and employment figures provide crucial details for multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and descriptive answers related to Gujarat's water conservation strategies and national flagship campaigns like "Catch the Rain."

Points to Remember

• Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the 2026 campaign on 23 February 2026 from Gandhinagar.
• Water storage capacity increased by 20,789 lakh cubic feet in 2026; cumulative increase since 2018 is approximately 1,38,039 lakh cubic feet.
• 13,315 water conservation works completed by May 2026 including pond deepening, check dam desilting and repair.
• Over 2.30 lakh man-days of employment generated in 2026.
• The Mesri River in Panchmahal district is a notable river restoration example under the scheme.
• Multiple Gujarat state departments coordinate the campaign, with strong public participation and implementation under schemes like MGNREGA.
• Received national SKOCH Awards: Platinum (2020) and Gold (2021).