Rajouri, November 19, 2025 – In a momentous recognition of excellence in water conservation and community-driven environmental initiatives, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma (@Abhi1shrma
), was honored with the Jal Sanchay–Jan Bhagidari Award by President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, at a grand ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The award celebrates Rajouri district’s outstanding contributions to the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari program, a flagship initiative under the Prime Minister’s vision for nationwide groundwater recharge and sustainable water security.
The event, part of the 6th National Water Awards, 2024, highlighted 46 winners across 10 categories for their innovative efforts in water management and conservation. President Murmu personally conferred the awards, emphasizing the critical role of public-private partnerships in addressing India’s growing water challenges. “The story of human civilization is intertwined with water sources,” the President remarked, praising the scheme’s success in constructing over 35 lakh groundwater recharge structures nationwide since its launch last year.For Rajouri, a border district in Jammu and Kashmir facing unique geopolitical and environmental hurdles, the accolade underscores a remarkable tale of resilience. Under DC Sharma’s leadership, the district administration mobilized the Jan Bhagidari (people’s participation) spirit to geo-tag an impressive 4,208 rainwater harvesting structures ahead of the May 31 deadline. These include 132 Amrit Sarovars, 894 ponds, 510 bowlis (traditional stepwells), 2,270 harvesting tanks, and 408 dugwells. This achievement was accomplished despite severe disruptions, such as cross-border Pakistani shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) and the high-stakes Operation Sindoor, demonstrating the unyielding commitment of local teams, frontline workers, and citizens.
In a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter), DC Sharma expressed his gratitude: “Grateful and humbled to receive the Jal Sanchay – Jan Bhagidari Award from the Hon’ble President of India @rashtrapatibhvn
. My heartfelt thanks to every team member, frontline workers & citizen of Rajouri who joined hands for water conservation to fulfill Hon’ble PM’s vision.”
DC Sharma, an IAS officer of the 2018 batch with a focus on public policy, e-governance, and art history, has been serving as Rajouri’s District Magistrate since August 2024. His tenure has emphasized collaborative governance, aligning with the whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach promoted by the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari initiative. Launched to foster artificial groundwater recharge through scalable, community-led models, the program has emerged as a beacon for replicable sustainable development practices across India.Speaking to the media post-ceremony, Sharma highlighted the collective effort: “This success is driven by strong community participation and consistent on-ground efforts. It’s a testament to Rajouri’s spirit – turning challenges into opportunities for a water-secure future.”
The award includes a citation, trophy, and cash prize, symbolizing not just individual acclaim but a call to action for continued environmental stewardship.The National Water Awards and Jal Sanchay–Jan Bhagidari Awards aim to raise public awareness on water importance and incentivize best practices in usage and conservation.
As India grapples with climate variability and depleting resources, such recognitions inspire districts like Rajouri to lead in building a circular water economy. With over 100 distinguished awardees honored for their role in the JSJB initiative, the ceremony reinforced the government’s commitment to eradicating water scarcity through innovative, inclusive strategies.
Rajouri’s triumph sets a benchmark for other border and aspirational districts, proving that Jan Bhagidari can thrive even amid adversity. As President Murmu noted, “Government and public collaboration is key to ensuring water availability and security for all.” This honor not only elevates Rajouri’s profile in national water conservation efforts but also motivates ongoing projects in groundwater recharge, rainwater harvesting, and community empowerment.For more on the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari initiative and the full list of awardees, visit the Ministry of Jal Shakti’s official portal.
