Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh marked the conclusion of Groundwater Week 2026 with a state-level ceremony at Bhagidari Bhawan in Gomti Nagar, where Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh urged citizens to make water conservation a part of their daily lives and adopt the mantra: “Harvest rainwater wherever and whenever it falls.”
The week-long campaign, held from July 16 to 22, was organised to transform groundwater conservation and rainwater harvesting into a people’s movement under the theme, “Take a pledge to conserve water—there is no alternative.”
The event began with Saraswati Vandana, the lighting of the ceremonial lamp and a water vessel worship ceremony. Director of the Uttar Pradesh Groundwater Department, Dr Rajesh Kumar Prajapati, presented a report on the statewide activities conducted during the campaign. Cultural performances by Dr Shreya Sangeet Sansthan and a street play by Climate Par Charcha highlighted the importance of water conservation and groundwater recharge.
Addressing the gathering, Singh said groundwater conservation is not merely a government programme but a shared responsibility of every citizen. He said the campaign reached millions of people through water chaupals, rallies, plantation drives, awareness workshops, rainwater harvesting initiatives, debates, painting competitions, quizzes and other public outreach activities organised from village panchayats to urban local bodies.
Highlighting encouraging trends, the minister said an analysis of data from 2021 to 2025 showed improvements in the average groundwater level in 29 districts of Uttar Pradesh, along with a significant increase in annual groundwater recharge. He attributed the progress to coordinated efforts among government departments, widespread rainwater harvesting, construction of groundwater recharge structures and active public participation.
Rajshekhar, Managing Director of the Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (Rural), said water security has emerged as one of the world’s biggest environmental and developmental challenges. He noted that nearly 90 per cent of domestic water needs, 85 per cent of industrial demand and 83 per cent of irrigation requirements in Uttar Pradesh depend on groundwater, underscoring the need for resilient water governance in the face of climate change.
As part of Groundwater Week, the state organised consultations with experts and voluntary organisations on July 17, the “Ek Ghanta-Ek Saath” waterbody cleaning campaign across major cities on July 19, a state workshop on Groundwater Conservation and Ganga Rejuvenation at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan on July 20, and awareness programmes, debates and industry interactions with students and stakeholders on July 21.
During the closing ceremony, districts, institutions and individuals who made significant contributions to groundwater conservation were recognised. Participants, including public representatives, officials, teachers, students and citizens, took a pledge to strengthen water conservation efforts and build a water-secure Uttar Pradesh for future generations. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr Rajesh Kumar Prajapati, while Executive Engineer Anupam conducted the proceedings.
