The visionary Chief Minister's Water Self-Reliance Campaign (MJSA) has been initiated in Rajasthan. This state-led water conservation initiative is set to play a pivotal role in adapting to climate change and enhancing water harvesting through advanced technological tools. In this guide, we provide comprehensive information regarding the Mukhyamantri Jal Sanrakshan Abhiyan, including its primary goals, key features, and the step-by-step registration and login procedures via the Water Resources Department (Jal Sansadhan) portal at mjsa.water.rajasthan.gov.in.
About the Chief Minister's Water Self-Reliance Mission (MJSA)
- Rajasthan, the largest state in India, spans 343 lakh hectares, with only 168 lakh hectares suitable for cultivation and 101 lakh hectares classified as wasteland.
- The Aravalli range divides the state, with the Thar Desert covering nearly 60% of its landmass to the west. Annual rainfall fluctuates drastically from 100 mm in the arid west to 900 mm in the southeast. Frequent droughts—typically three out of every five years—coupled with irregular rainfall patterns, lead to unstable agricultural yields. Significant volumes of water are lost due to intense, short-duration rainfall, and a lack of adequate harvesting infrastructure causes a steady decline in groundwater levels.
- Erratic rainfall patterns negatively impact crop output. Farmers face reduced productivity and the conversion of arable land into wasteland, leading to shortages of fuel, fodder, and dairy, which weakens their socio-economic standing.
- Water scarcity is the primary driver of this crisis. By coordinating with various departments, the Watershed Department aims to create an action plan to ensure reliable drinking water and irrigation supplies.
- With 75% of the rural population dependent on farming and livestock, the Chief Minister's Water Self-Reliance Campaign is essential. It focuses on the "Four Waters" approach—Rainfall, Runoff, Groundwater, and Soil Moisture—using the watershed or catchment area as the primary unit for development.
Objectives of the Rajasthan Water Self-Reliance Scheme
The key goals of the Rajasthan Water Self-Reliance Scheme include:
- Achieving water self-sufficiency for villages.
- Raising groundwater tables and increasing surface water availability for drinking purposes.
- Expanding irrigated land, cultivable area, and overall agricultural yields.
- Promoting sustainable shifts in cropping patterns.
- Reducing sediment runoff in streams and curbing the depletion of groundwater reserves.
Scope of the Rajasthan Water Self-Reliance Scheme
Water conservation and harvesting initiatives will be funded through state resources, NGOs, CSR contributions, community participation, and Non-Resident Villager (NRV) clubs to provide permanent drought solutions. The mission plans to cover 3,000 villages in its first year, expanding to 6,000 additional villages annually over the next three years, eventually benefiting 21,000 villages across the state. Remaining areas will be addressed in subsequent phases based on a priority list.
Institutional Framework for the Water Conservation Scheme
- State Rural Water Conservation Mission
- State-level Steering Committee
- State-level Task Force
- District-level Monitoring Committee
- District-level Committee
- Block-level Committee
- Village-level Committee for Action Plan development
Approval of District Action Plans
District Mission Plans will be authorized by the District