Raipur, April 3 (IANS) Chhattisgarh's Korea district (also identified as Koriya) has set a unique precedent in the field of water conservation and has become the talk of town not just domestically but nationally.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently praised Korea district's 'Five per cent water conservation model' during his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat'.

Prime Minister Modi, praising the initiative remarked that this was 'living example' of how small efforts can lead to significant change.

He lauded the farmers and villagers of Korea district for collectively devising a solution to the water crisis and successfully implementing it.

Under the '5 Per cent Model' of Korea district, the farmers dedicated 5 per cent of their cultivable land to water conservation purposes. Small percolation pits were constructed within the designated area, allowing rainwater to collect and seep into the ground. This initiative not only curbed water wastage but also led to a remarkable improvement in groundwater levels.

A distinctive feature of this model is that it was implemented entirely through public participation.

More than 1,200 farmers across the district embraced this initiative, yielding positive results.

Throughout the district, the villagers adopted this cause as their own campaign.

Women championed the movement as 'Neer Nayikas' (water heroines), while the youth advanced the campaign as 'Jal Doots' (water messengers).

The planning process was decentralised through Gram Sabhas (village assemblies), enabling decisions to be made at the local level and ensuring their effective implementation.

The outcomes of this campaign have been extremely encouraging.

In 2025, nearly 2.8 million cubic metres of water were recharged into the groundwater reserves -- an amount equivalent to hundreds of large ponds.

According to a report by the Chhattisgarh Water Resources Department, the district has recorded a historic rise of 5.41 metres in its groundwater levels.

Many farmers who reaped benefits of initiative explained to scribes, the concept of game-changing initiative.

A local farmer Vishal Kumar Das told IANS, "the initiative allows soil to retain the moisture, replenishment of water sources, effectively leading to conservation of water in the fields."

Parameshwar Rajwade said that this model is yielding benefits for every crop cycle, and farming practice have improved significantly compared to the past.

Speaking about the initiative, District Panchayat CEO Ashutosh Chaturvedi said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, campaigns such as 'Catch the Rain,' water conservation drives, and initiatives promoting public participation are being implemented across the country and 'Mor Gaon Mor Pani' (My Village, My Water) campaign was an extension of this endeavour.

He also informed that the 'Awa Pani Jhonki' campaign was launched in the Korea district.

Under this initiative, soak pits were constructed not only in residential areas but also within farmers' fields.

This initiative has led to a steady rise in groundwater levels, and the work is still ongoing.

--IANS

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