The Ministry of Jal Shakti’s Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation has launched the 6th National Water Awards (NWA) 2024. Interested applicants can submit their entries via the Rashtriya Puraskar portal (www.awards.gov.in), with a deadline of 31st December 2024. Detailed information is also available on the department’s website (www.jalshakti-dowr.gov.in).
Eligible participants include States, Districts, Village Panchayats, Urban Local Bodies, Schools/Colleges, Institutions (other than schools/colleges), Industries, Civil Society, and Water User Associations who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in water conservation and management.
The awards will be distributed across nine categories, including ‘Best State’, ‘Best District’, ‘Best Village Panchayat’, ‘Best Urban Local Body’, ‘Best School/College’, ‘Best Institution (other than school/college)’, ‘Best Industry’, ‘Best Civil Society’, and ‘Best Water User Association’. Winners in the ‘Best State’ and ‘Best District’ categories will receive a trophy and citation, while other categories will include a cash prize along with the trophy and citation. Cash prizes for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners are ₹2 lakh, ₹1.5 lakh, and ₹1 lakh respectively.
The selection process involves screening by a committee of the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, with final evaluations conducted by a Jury Committee led by a retired Secretary-level officer. Ground verifications are handled by the Central Water Commission (CWC) and Central Ground Water Board (CGWB). Final approval is given by the Union Minister of Jal Shakti, and the awards are presented by the President or Vice President of India.
The National Water Awards, established in 2018, aim to recognize and encourage exemplary water management efforts and align with the vision of ‘Jal Samridh Bharat’. These awards emphasize the importance of water conservation, public awareness, and the adoption of sustainable water practices. Since inception, the awards have honoured numerous winners across diverse categories for their contributions to water management.
