Jal Itihas Utsav: Celebrating Water Heritage, Community Connection, and Conservation Efforts in Mehrauli, Delhi

The National Water Mission, under the Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, is set to organize the 'Jal Itihas Utsav' at Shamsi Talab, Jahaz Mahal in Mehrauli, Delhi, on December 1, 2023.

The event aims to raise public awareness about safeguarding water heritage sites, instill a sense of ownership among the masses, promote tourism, and contribute to the restoration of these significant heritage structures. The distinguished gathering will be graced by the presence of Lt. Governor of Delhi, Vinai Kumar Saxena, along with the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and senior officials from various Departments of the Central and State Government.

This grand celebration marks the culmination of the "Water Heritage Fortnight," observed across the nation from November 15 to November 30, 2023. During this period, festivities unfolded at 75 'Natural Water Heritage Structures' in different districts. Additionally, it signifies the successful completion of the nationwide campaign 'Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain' 2023, aimed at water conservation.

The core objective of the 'Jal Itihas Utsav' is to emphasize the central role of water bodies as integral spaces for community connection. The restoration work at Shamsi Talab, Jahaz Mahal, in Mehrauli serves as a testament to the collaborative efforts of various Departments of the Central and State Government. The cleaning and leveling of the Talab and park, carried out with the assistance of the Archaeological Survey of India and MCD, will be documented in an e-book to be launched during the event.

Furthermore, a short video titled ‘Jal Itihas Journey’ will be showcased, highlighting the 75 identified Water Heritage sites. Renowned violinist Ms. Sunita Bhuyan will present ‘Flowing Strings,’ a musical event adding cultural richness to the celebration.

In the pursuit of conserving the nation's heritage water structures, the Ministry of Jal Shakti formed a Committee chaired by R. R. Mishra, Ex-DG, NMCG. This committee identified 75 'Natural Water Heritage Structures' across the country, showcased on the Jal Itihaas Sub-Portal on India-WRIS Portal (https://indiawris.gov.in/wris/#/jalitihaas) as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

The Ministry has successfully executed the 'Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain' 2023 (JSA: CTR-2023) throughout the country with the theme "Source Sustainability for Drinking Water.for" India, with its rich tradition of reverence for water resources, recognizes the increasing pressure on these vital assets.

This campaign, the fourth in the series, ran from March 4, 2023, to November 30, 2023, focusing on strengthening drinking water sources in 150 Water Stressed Districts identified by the Jal Jeevan Mission.

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