Water Conservation Must Become a Mass Movement: Nitin Gadkari
Nagpur to Host ‘Jalsamvad’ and ‘Jalkranti’ Conferences on May 17-18
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari addresses a press conference in Nagpur on Sunday.
Nagpur: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Sunday called for transforming water conservation into a nationwide mass movement, stating that sustainable water management was critical for ensuring agricultural prosperity and eliminating farmer distress in Vidarbha.
Addressing a press conference in Nagpur ahead of the “Jalsamvad” and “Jalkranti” conferences scheduled for May 17 and 18, Gadkari said the long-standing image of Vidarbha as a farmer suicide-prone region could be changed through effective water conservation initiatives and community participation.
The conferences are being organised as part of the silver jubilee celebrations of Poorti Sinchan Samruddhi Kalyankari Sanstha, which has been working in the field of water conservation in Vidarbha for the past 25 years.
“We do not face water scarcity in the country; the real challenge lies in planning and management of water resources,” Gadkari said.
He stressed that efficient water management could be achieved through organic farming, drip irrigation, and use of Artificial Intelligence in agriculture.
The Union Minister highlighted that soil excavated from farm ponds and used in national highway construction had helped improve groundwater levels in districts such as Akola, Washim, and Buldhana in western Vidarbha.
According to Gadkari, farmers in these regions have subsequently altered their cropping patterns based on improved water availability.
While acknowledging the role of non-governmental organisations in water conservation, he emphasized that public participation remained equally important.
“Water conservation must become a people’s movement,” he asserted.
Gadkari also said that river and stream deepening works were being undertaken through public participation in groundwater-deficient “dark zone” regions such as Warud-Morshi and Katol-Narkhed.
He appealed to local self-government bodies to actively contribute to water conservation and groundwater recharge initiatives.
The Union Minister noted that the “Tamaswada Model” developed by Poorti Sinchan Samruddhi Kalyankari Sanstha has received recognition across the country for its effectiveness in water conservation.
As part of the silver jubilee celebrations, the first event — “Nagpur Jalsamvad 2026” — will be held on May 17 at Dr. Vasantrao Deshpande Auditorium in Civil Lines.
The conference will focus on the theme “Water conservation as a solution for a farmer suicide-free Vidarbha” and will deliberate on irrigation challenges, water scarcity, and rural economic stability.
The event will be chaired by Gadkari and attended by water experts and social sector leaders including Anil Prakash Joshi, Umashankar Pandey, Sethpal Singh, Keshob Krishna Chatradhara, Swedevino Natso, and others.
The second event, the “Jalkranti Conference,” will be organised on May 18 at Kavivarya Suresh Bhat Auditorium in Reshimbagh.
The conference will review the organisation’s 25-year journey and discuss successful initiatives such as the “Tamaswada Pattern” for water conservation in Vidarbha.
A major attraction of the event will be the participation of actor and Paani Foundation founder Aamir Khan along with Nana Patekar and Makarand Anaspure of the Naam Foundation.
Maharashtra Minister for Soil and Water Conservation Sanjay Rathod, Dr. Sharad Gadakh, and Dr. Prashant Bokare are also expected to participate.
A large number of farmers and village sarpanches from across Vidarbha are expected to attend the conference.
Organisers said special sessions on groundwater recharge, water conservation, and sustainable rural water management would be conducted during the event.
Several publications including Jalparva, Jalkranti, Krishikalyan, and Corridors of Water Security will also be released during the silver jubilee celebrations.
