Chhattisgarh's '5 percent model' has become an example for the country
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Demonstrating exemplary environmental leadership and grassroots mobilization, छत्तीसगढ़ has clinched the number one position nationwide in the third phase of the Ministry of Jal Shakti’s prestigious "Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari" (JSJB) campaign. Highlighting the state's pioneering approach, Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai showcased the state's success at a national departmental summit held at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in New Delhi, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil. By transforming water conservation from a bureaucratic government program into a vibrant public movement centered around farmers and village communities, Chhattisgarh has set a benchmark for the entire nation.
The Revolutionary '5 Percent Model': Farmers Voluntarily Give Land for Groundwater Recharge
At the heart of Chhattisgarh's phenomenal success is the indigenous "5 Percent Model," which originated in the Korea district. In a remarkable display of civic responsibility and foresight, local farmers voluntarily contribute approximately five percent of their own agricultural land to construct rainwater harvesting structures and groundwater recharge basins. Instead of letting precious rainwater run off agricultural fields, this model allows water to slowly percolate back into the earth. Chief Minister Sai, drawing from his own roots as a farming family member from Bagiya, emphasized that farmers are not mere beneficiaries but active architects of this initiative, working hand-in-hand with village panchayats and local departments.
Sweeping National Dominance Across All Phases of JSJB
Chhattisgarh's sustained focus on water security has yielded staggering quantitative results across successive phases of the national campaign:
JSJB Phase 1.0: The state constructed 450,561 water structures, securing second place nationwide.
JSJB Phase 2.0: A massive registration drive logged 2,470,456 structures, with 2,370,768 successfully completed, maintaining the state's second-place ranking.
JSJB Phase 3.0: Chhattisgarh surged to the absolute top spot in the country, completing 77,719 out of 79,775 newly registered water structures.
Furthermore, five districts of the state—Surajpur, Mahasamund, Balod, Balodabazar-Bhatapara, and Kabirdham—have proudly secured positions among the top ten water-conserving districts in India, driven by active community participation and rigorous geo-tagging via BISAG-N technology.
Reversing Water Stress and Strengthening Rural Economies
The tangible benefits of these community-led water campaigns are already transforming the state's ecological and agrarian landscape. The number of water-stressed blocks in Chhattisgarh has dropped significantly from 26 to 19, with several critical blocks returning to normal groundwater levels. By aggressively implementing the core philosophy of "Catch the Rain - Save Water Where It Falls," the state has reduced agricultural dependency on erratic monsoons, improved irrigation availability, and eased daily life for rural families. Proposing new nationwide strategies—such as state-level water awards and quarterly reviews—Chief Minister Sai affirmed that Chhattisgarh remains fully prepared to share its winning blueprint with the rest of the nation to secure water for future generations.
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