Seventh Jal Prahari Samman recognises grassroots changemakers from across India

Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary calls for people’s participation to strengthen water security

New Delhi, 23 October 2026: From reviving dying rivers and restoring traditional ponds to recharging groundwater and mobilising communities for water conservation, 31 individuals and groups from across India were recognised for their outstanding contributions at the seventh edition of the Jal Prahari Samman 2026, held today at Vishwa Yuvak Kendra, New Delhi.

The annual awards recognise individuals and organisations working at the grassroots to conserve water, rejuvenate rivers, restore traditional water bodies and protect the environment. Selected through a nomination process, this year’s honourees represent diverse approaches to addressing water scarcity and strengthening India’s long-term water security.

Dr. Raj Bhushan Choudhary, Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Jal Shakti, graced the occasion. The event also witnessed the presence of Arun Singh, Member of Parliament; Gopal Arya, Head of Environment Activities; noted water conservationist Rajendra Singh; Uma Shankar Pandey; and representatives associated with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and IIT Kanpur, alongside several Padma Shri awardees, environmentalists and water experts.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Raj Bhushan Choudhary emphasised that water conservation must become a collective national responsibility, backed by sustained public participation and community-led action. He highlighted the urgent need to protect and replenish India’s freshwater resources, noting that the country accounts for nearly 18% of the global population but has only around 4% of the world’s freshwater resources.

“Water conservation is not merely an environmental responsibility; it is a commitment to secure India’s future. With nearly 18% of the world’s population and only 4% of its freshwater resources, India must make every drop count through conservation, groundwater recharge and the rejuvenation of our rivers and traditional water bodies. The remarkable work of our Jal Praharis demonstrates that people’s participation and sustained collective action can transform water scarcity into water security. The Jal Prahari Samman 2026 recognises these dedicated individuals who are restoring water sources, reviving rivers and inspiring communities to take ownership of their natural resources. Their work is a service to Mother Earth and a priceless legacy for future generations. When every citizen becomes a guardian of water, we lay the foundation for a water-secure and Viksit Bharat. Jal Hai Toh Kal Hai,” he said.

The awardees represent diverse approaches to water conservation, demonstrating how individual initiative, traditional knowledge, technical innovation and community mobilisation can deliver meaningful results. Their efforts include restoring ponds in water-stressed regions, promoting groundwater recharge, rejuvenating rivers, cleaning water bodies and reviving traditional water-harvesting structures.

The programme highlighted the importance of transforming water conservation from individual interventions into a sustained people’s movement. Community participation, voluntary labour and collective ownership were emphasised as critical to the success of water conservation initiatives, alongside government schemes and institutional support.

State-wise awardees of Jal Prahari Samman 2026

The 2026 edition recognised water conservation champions from across several states, with Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan among the most represented. The awardees named in the state-wise selection list are:

Rajasthan

• Anita Paliwal
• Bhupendra Paliwal
• Dashrath Sharma and Rameshwar Lal
• Gamer Singh, Mahendra Singh and Tanerav Singh
• Sureshpal Jadon

Uttar Pradesh

• Ajay Krantikari
• Akshay Nayak
• RJ Dr. Meenu Khare, Lucknow
• Pawan Kumar
• Sandeep Chaudhary
• Sanjay Kumar

Madhya Pradesh

• Milind Pandit and Swati Samvatsar
• Rajiv Sharma
• Savitri Srivastava

Gujarat

• Anandbhai N. Jat
• Dilipbhai Sakhia

Delhi

• MCT Pareva
• Vinay Das

Maharashtra

• Adityanath Gorakhnath

Jharkhand

• Ankit Kumar and Dilip Kumar

Water conservationists from Punjab and West Bengal were also represented at the event. The organisers selected 31 awardees in total, including individuals and groups whose work reflects the growing diversity of grassroots water conservation efforts across India.

Recognising grassroots action for water security

Anil Singh, Jal Prahari convener, said the honors aim to bring national recognition to individuals and organisations working to conserve water, revive traditional water sources, protect rivers and ponds, and strengthen water security through public participation. He emphasised that recognising these efforts can inspire more citizens and communities to take responsibility for protecting local water resources.

Aman Vashishth, member of the organising committee, highlighted the need to connect water conservation initiatives with wider public participation, noting that safeguarding water resources for future generations requires a shared sense of responsibility across society.

Over the years, the Jal Prahari Samman has recognised the contributions of IAS, IPS and RAS officers, non-governmental organisations, farmers and other individuals working at the grassroots to conserve water and restore natural resources. The initiative seeks to encourage sustained action and make successful conservation models visible to communities across the country.

The seventh Jal Prahari Samman concluded with a renewed call to make water conservation a shared national mission. By celebrating those who have dedicated themselves to protecting and restoring water resources, the initiative seeks to inspire wider participation and advance the vision of a water-secure Jal Atmanirbhar Bharat for generations to come.