New Delhi, 01 August(HS): Under the Central Government’s ‘Catch the Rain 2026’ campaign, the Odisha government has conducted 968 public awareness programmes across the state so far. A total of 905 rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge structures have been created, while 98 traditional ponds have been rejuvenated across the state.

The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti stated that 849 rooftop rainwater harvesting systems and 56 recharge shafts have been completed in Odisha. These include 45 recharge shafts in Jajpur, 10 in Kendrapara and one in Sundargarh.

Apart from this, rooftop rainwater harvesting systems have been installed in various districts, including 62 in Cuttack, 54 in Sambalpur, 53 in Sundargarh, 48 in Kendrapara, 25 in Jharsuguda, 16 in Bargarh, 13 in Puri, 12 in Nayagarh, 10 in Angul, seven in Nabarangpur and four in Balangir.

The Ministry said that Khordha district recorded the highest number of awareness programmes with 230 initiatives aimed at spreading information about water conservation among the public, while Ganjam district witnessed the installation of 330 rooftop rainwater harvesting systems.

As part of efforts to revive traditional water sources, renovation and desilting work has been carried out on 98 ponds across all 30 districts of Odisha. The increased storage capacity of these ponds has enabled better conservation of monsoon rainwater and improved irrigation facilities as well as water availability in rural areas.

The Ministry further informed that various activities such as street plays, folk performances and community interactions were organised across the state to spread awareness about water conservation among citizens.

Angul district conducted 124 awareness programmes, Mayurbhanj organised 60, Nayagarh and Puri held 50 each, while Ganjam conducted 20 such initiatives.

Additionally, students in schools and colleges are being trained in groundwater science, water conservation practices and rainwater harvesting techniques so that they can become ambassadors of water conservation within their communities.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar