CM highlights state initiatives to conserve water resources | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: CM Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday highlighted the critical importance of water resource management and Odisha’s proactive initiatives.
Addressing the 2nd All India State Water Ministers’ Conference 2025 in Rajasthan’s Udaipur, Majhi emphasised that water is the lifeline of civilisation, shaping humanity’s destiny and sustaining communities. “In Odisha, it is central to our identity — nurturing our fields, sustaining our forests and empowering our communities,” he said.
Majhi, who also holds the water resources portfolio, said that Odisha has a geographical area of 1.55 lakh square km, making it the 8th largest state by area and the 11th largest by population. “Our state is agrarian, and almost 50% of the population depends on agriculture,” he said.
Majhi stated that the state is blessed with rainfall to an extent of 1,500 mm per year. “Climate change has made the quantum and distribution of rainfall more uncertain. Against these odds, we are endeavouring for a water-secured state by 2036, when we will be celebrating the centenary of the formation of modern Odisha,” he said.
He said that to ensure the goal, the govt has prioritised flood control and water conservation with multi-purpose projects. “At the same time, we are investing in technology-driven water governance through real-time monitoring systems and digital dashboards for reservoir management,” he said.
Majhi said that though the state is rich in water resources, the govt is taking measures for the creation of new water bodies by constructing dams, reservoirs, in-stream storage structures and large tanks, as well as capacity enhancement in existing storage structures.
“Our govt has taken significant strides in integrated water management. Initiatives such as the pani panchayat have empowered farmers and promoted participatory irrigation management,” he said.
Majhi added that through the mega lift irrigation projects and check dam construction, the govt expanded irrigation coverage and ensured water reaches even the most remote areas.
“Climate change poses a serious challenge. Odisha, being prone to cyclones and floods, has learned to build resilience. We are integrating watershed management with afforestation and soil conservation to recharge groundwater,” the CM said.
He said that under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), the focus on ‘Har Ghar Jal’ ensures that every family has a functional tap water connection. “We are committed to achieving 100% tap water coverage in rural Odisha by March 2027,” he said.
Addressing the 2nd All India State Water Ministers’ Conference 2025 in Rajasthan’s Udaipur, Majhi emphasised that water is the lifeline of civilisation, shaping humanity’s destiny and sustaining communities. “In Odisha, it is central to our identity — nurturing our fields, sustaining our forests and empowering our communities,” he said.
Majhi, who also holds the water resources portfolio, said that Odisha has a geographical area of 1.55 lakh square km, making it the 8th largest state by area and the 11th largest by population. “Our state is agrarian, and almost 50% of the population depends on agriculture,” he said.
Majhi stated that the state is blessed with rainfall to an extent of 1,500 mm per year. “Climate change has made the quantum and distribution of rainfall more uncertain. Against these odds, we are endeavouring for a water-secured state by 2036, when we will be celebrating the centenary of the formation of modern Odisha,” he said.
He said that to ensure the goal, the govt has prioritised flood control and water conservation with multi-purpose projects. “At the same time, we are investing in technology-driven water governance through real-time monitoring systems and digital dashboards for reservoir management,” he said.
Majhi said that though the state is rich in water resources, the govt is taking measures for the creation of new water bodies by constructing dams, reservoirs, in-stream storage structures and large tanks, as well as capacity enhancement in existing storage structures.
“Our govt has taken significant strides in integrated water management. Initiatives such as the pani panchayat have empowered farmers and promoted participatory irrigation management,” he said.
Majhi added that through the mega lift irrigation projects and check dam construction, the govt expanded irrigation coverage and ensured water reaches even the most remote areas.
“Climate change poses a serious challenge. Odisha, being prone to cyclones and floods, has learned to build resilience. We are integrating watershed management with afforestation and soil conservation to recharge groundwater,” the CM said.
He said that under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), the focus on ‘Har Ghar Jal’ ensures that every family has a functional tap water connection. “We are committed to achieving 100% tap water coverage in rural Odisha by March 2027,” he said.
