Bhubaneswar: Odisha has emerged as the top winner in the prestigious 5th National Water Awards 2023, with Uttar Pradesh taking second place and Gujarat and Puducherry sharing the third spot.
The awards, announced by the Ministry of Jal Shakti on Monday, recognize exceptional contributions to water conservation and management across India in nine categories.
The award ceremony, scheduled for October 22, will be presided over by President Droupadi Murmu. Odisha’s significant achievements in water conservation have been hailed as exemplary, making it a deserving winner.
Odisha’s impressive water conservation achievements include the construction of over 53,000 water conservation and rainwater harvesting structures, the renovation of 11,000 traditional water bodies, and the establishment of 21,000 wastewater treatment plants. These efforts transformed over 90,900 hectares of land into micro-irrigation systems, benefiting around 87,000 farmers. The state also completed the plantation of 9 crore saplings, further contributing to environmental sustainability.
Uttar Pradesh, which took the second spot, was commended for its work under the Jal Jeevan Mission. The state provided tap water connections to over 17,900 villages, benefiting 1.91 crore households. Additionally, Uttar Pradesh constructed 133 sewage treatment plants (STPs) with a combined capacity of 4,100 MLD to reduce Ganga River pollution and built or rejuvenated 14,679 ‘Amrit Sarovars’ for rainwater harvesting.
Puducherry, sharing the third spot with Gujarat, was recognized for its renovation of 84 tanks, desilting 190 village ponds, and installing 850 rooftop rainwater harvesting systems. In 2023, it provided tap connections to 1,14,900 households.
Gujarat’s accomplishments included achieving 100% tap water connections for 25 lakh households under the Jal Jeevan Mission, expanding micro-irrigation to benefit over 14 lakh farmers, and implementing innovative intra-basin water transfer projects.
The awards also honoured top-performing districts across zones. Among the winners were Visakhapatnam (South zone), Dhalai (North East zone), Banda and Ganderbal (joint winners in the North zone), Indore (West zone), and Balangir (East zone). Pullampara in Kerala topped the Best Village Panchayat category.
Surat in Gujarat won the Best Urban Local Body award, with Puri in Odisha and Pune in Maharashtra ranking second and third, respectively.
In the education sector, the Government Upper Primary School in Jethwan ka Bas, Rajasthan, took first place in the Best School or College category. The second spot went to Government Sarvodya Kanya Vidyalaya in New Delhi, while Khairbani Ashram School, Baisinga, Mayurbhanj in Odisha secured third place. BHSS in Zainakote, Srinagar, also received a special mention.
The Best Industry award went to Aravali Power Company Private Limited from Haryana, followed by Apollo Tyres Limited in Tamil Nadu and Raymond Uco Denim Pvt Ltd in Maharashtra.
Additional categories recognized institutions, civil society organizations, and water user associations for their exemplary efforts in water management.
