Surat, February 9 – The Jewellery Association of Surat’s Pal Gauravpath Road has initiated a large-scale rainwater harvesting project, committing to drill 3,000 boreholes as part of a nationwide water conservation effort. The initiative was officially launched by Union Minister for Water Resources C. R. Patil, aligning with the central government’s mission to curb groundwater exploitation and promote sustainable water management.
The initiative is part of the broader "Catch the Water" campaign, which aims to replenish groundwater reserves across India. The central government has been actively working to implement rainwater harvesting nationwide, with over 5,40,000 boreholes already drilled. The goal is to reach 1 million boreholes by May 2025, ensuring better groundwater conservation ahead of the monsoon season.
With India's current dam storage capacity at only 250 billion cubic meters (BCM), the country faces an increasing water demand projected to rise from 1,120 BCM to 1,180 BCM by 2025. Despite receiving an annual rainfall of 4,000 BCM, the nation can only store 750 BCM, far below its growing requirements.
Addressing the urgency of water conservation, Minister C. R. Patil emphasized the importance of large-scale participation in such projects to ensure long-term water sustainability. The Jewellery Association’s 3,000 borehole initiative is a significant step in this direction, encouraging industries and local communities to invest in groundwater replenishment.
As water scarcity emerges as a major challenge for future generations, conservation efforts like this aim to secure a sustainable water supply. The initiative also encourages industrial units and trade associations to actively participate in rainwater harvesting, reinforcing the need for collective action to mitigate the looming water crisis.
