Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar and Chairman District Jal Jeevan Mission Pankaj Kumar Sharma today chaired a review meeting on the implementation of Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSJB 3.0) and reviewed the progress of activities being executed by the line departments concerned. The Deputy Commissioner directed the Jal Shakti, Agriculture, Horticulture, Rural Development, Forest, Education and Social Welfare Departments to submit their action plans for water conservation and rainwater harvesting works for 2026-27 and ensure the timely completion of approved works.
The Rural Development, Forest and Jal Shakti Departments were directed to initiate the rejuvenation of traditional water bodies and undertake biannual maintenance of existing water conservation and groundwater recharge structures. The DC further directed all departments to collectively achieve a monthly target of 1,000 Jal Shakti Abhiyan works across the district, with emphasis on water conservation and rainwater harvesting.
The Rural Development and Forest Departments were asked to prioritise watershed development works in catchment areas, recharge zones and water retention landscapes, while the Forest Department was directed to implement intensive afforestation from November. The Programme Officer ICDS and Chief Education Officer were directed to identify schools and Anganwadi centres for rooftop rainwater harvesting, the Assistant Commissioner Development to prepare estimates and the Rural Development Department to ensure convergence under flagship schemes for the early execution of the works.
The Deputy Commissioner also directed the Rural Development, Education and Social Welfare Departments to mobilise Gram Panchayats, NYKS, SHGs, youth volunteers, school children and local communities for the adoption of rainwater harvesting systems, rejuvenation of traditional water bodies and large-scale plantation.
Among those present were PO ICDS Kishtwar Rishi Kumar Sharma, BDO Hqrs Chandan Manhas, DFO Kishtwar Mahesh Thakur, DFO Marwah Vishal Chaudhary, CAO Kishtwar Kushal Chandel, CHO Kishtwar Sajid Mustafa, CEO Kishtwar Sanjay Dogra and PM DPMU Kishtwar Er Fayaz Mehta, besides other staff concerned.