Odisha Wins Best State In 5th National Water Awards

New Delhi, Oct 14: Odisha has been conferred as the top winner in the 5th National Water Awards 2023 with Uttar Pradesh securing the second position, and Gujarat and Puducherry jointly securing the third position, the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti said on Monday.

The National Water Awards covers nine categories, honours outstanding contributions to water conservation and management across India.

Odisha’s remarkable achievements in water conservation include the construction of over 53,000 water conservation and rainwater harvesting structures and the renovation of 11,000 traditional water bodies, the Ministry said.

Additionally, 21,000 wastewater treatment plants were set up, transforming over 90,900 hectares of irrigated land to micro-irrigation systems, benefitting 87,000 farmers. The state has also made significant strides in afforestation, completing the plantation of 9 crore saplings, it added.

President Droupadi Murmu will confer the 5th National Water Awards 2023 on the 22nd of this month in New Delhi. The awards will be conferred to a total of 38 winners including joint winners in nine categories. Each award winner will receive a citation and a trophy as well as cash prizes in certain categories.