Bhubaneswar: The first leg of Pani Panchayat Pakhya, 2025, commenced on December 22, 2024, with a series of events held across 136 divisions of Odisha. Scheduled to run from December 22, 2024, to January 5, 2025, the fortnight-long observance aims to strengthen water governance through the active participation of Pani Panchayats and allied stakeholders.
Division-level functions were organized on December 22, with District-level events slated for December 29, 2024, and a State-level observance on January 5, 2025. This year, the Pani Panchayat Fortnight has been aligned with ‘Krushi Odisha’ to foster greater synergy among farmers and Pani Panchayat members, enhancing exposure to interventions by the Department of Water Resources and other allied departments such as Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment and Fisheries & Animal Husbandry.
The event began with a Flag Off ceremony, where Hon’ble Ministers, MPs, MLAs, and local PRI and ULB representatives launched Rath in their respective constituencies. MLAs from Angul, Bhadrak, Kamakhyanagar, Paralakhemundi, Jagatsinghpur, Patna, Anandpur, Bangiriposi, Jashipur, Malkangiri, Khariar, Gunpur, Kantamal, Nawarangpur, and Korei were among those who flagged off Raths. Collectors and District Magistrates from Deogarh, Gajapati, Mayurbhanja, Nuapada, Rayagada, and Sundergarh also participated in the flagging off.
The event featured a variety of activities, including debates, essay competitions, painting contests, quizzes, and exhibitions, aimed at promoting awareness through Information Education Communication (IEC) and Social Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) initiatives. Over 39,000 Pani Panchayats are actively involved in participatory water governance across the state, driving inclusion and equity through initiatives like the Odisha Pani Panchayat Act, 2002.
Significant investments have been made in water infrastructure, with Rs 1338 crore allocated for constructing 2400 km of field channels covering 80,000 hectares of command area, along with the reconstruction of 1860 km of old and dilapidated channels covering 62,000 hectares by FY 2028-29.
Pani Panchayats are now taking strides in enhancing water productivity and adopting climate-resilient agricultural practices. Collaborations have been established with the Institute of Water Management for IoT-enabled digital water measuring and soil moisture sensing systems, along with Xavier Institute of Management for capacity building through master trainers.
Odisha’s efforts in water resource conservation and management have been recognized at the national level, with the state securing the top rank in the best state category for the National Water Award, 2023, presented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti. The proactive involvement of Pani Panchayats has been pivotal in achieving this recognition.
The Pani Panchayat Pakhya 2025 serves as both a platform to celebrate the contributions of Pani Panchayats and farmers and a catalyst for promoting equity, inclusion, and sustainable water governance practices in Odisha.