Mann Ki Baat 136: PM Modi praises MP's water conservation; CM Yadav joins Orchha event
Synopsis
PM Modi's 136th Mann Ki Baat singled out Sidhi district in Madhya Pradesh for water conservation — and the numbers back the praise. With 12,983 projects completed, storage capacity up by over 44 lakh cubic metres, and ₹80 lakh in livelihood gains for farmers, MP's Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan is quietly becoming one of India's more credible community-water success stories.
Key Takeaways
CM Mohan Yadav attended the 136th Mann Ki Baat listening event at Kanchana Ghat, Orchha on 26 July .
PM Modi specifically praised Sidhi district for outstanding water conservation work through public participation.
12,983 water conservation projects have been completed in Sidhi, including 1,489 farm ponds .
Sidhi's water storage capacity has increased by 44,82,612 cubic metres , enough to irrigate 896 extra hectares and serve nearly one lakh people daily.
Fish farming in 211 ponds and Singhada cultivation in 178 ponds have generated around ₹80 lakh in economic benefits for local communities.
Madhya Pradesh is in its third consecutive year of the Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan , aligned with the national 'Catch the Rain' campaign launched on 4 July .
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Sunday, 26 July attended the listening session for the 136th edition of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat' at Kanchana Ghat in Orchha, the historic tourism and religious hub of Niwari district, joining local residents and public representatives. During the broadcast, the Prime Minister specifically commended Sidhi district in Madhya Pradesh for its exemplary work in water conservation driven by public participation.
What PM Modi Highlighted
In the address, Prime Minister Modi spoke about transforming the 'Catch the Rain' campaign into a nationwide people's movement, the successful launch of Vikram-1 advancing India's self-reliance in space, and the performances of Indian athletes that continue to inspire the country. Chief Minister Yadav shared his response to the programme in a post on social media platform X, calling the Prime Minister's words a source of motivation for the state's ongoing conservation drive.
MP's Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan: Three Years of Progress
Inspired by the Prime Minister's call, Madhya Pradesh has carried out significant water conservation work for the third consecutive year under the 'Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan', guided by Chief Minister Yadav. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the results of this sustained effort would be reflected in the 'Catch the Rain' campaign, which commenced on 4 July.
Sidhi District's Landmark Water Conservation Numbers
In Sidhi district, 1,489 farm ponds have been constructed under the campaign, substantially improving rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and irrigation capacity. According to an official press statement, 12,983 water conservation projects have been completed in the district to date.
As a result, Sidhi's water storage capacity has risen from 1,35,73,874 cubic metres to 1,80,56,486 cubic metres — an increase of 44,82,612 cubic metres. This additional capacity, according to the statement, has the potential to irrigate approximately 896 hectares of additional agricultural land and meet the daily water needs of nearly one lakh people.
Water Conservation as a Livelihood Source
Notably, Sidhi has moved beyond infrastructure to turn water bodies into economic assets. Fish farming is currently under way in 211 ponds, while Singhada (water chestnut) cultivation is being practised in 178 ponds. These activities have generated direct economic benefits of around ₹80 lakh for fishermen's groups, self-help groups, and individual farmers — demonstrating how conservation and livelihood creation can be pursued simultaneously.
With the 'Catch the Rain' campaign now active and the state's water storage capacity measurably expanded, Madhya Pradesh's model of community-driven conservation is drawing national attention and is likely to serve as a reference point for other states.
Point of View
While also anchoring the 'Catch the Rain' campaign in a concrete success story. The Sidhi numbers are specific enough to be credible, but independent verification of the storage-capacity and livelihood figures is absent from the official statement. The deeper question is whether the Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan's community-pond model can scale beyond MP's relatively water-stressed districts to the broader Indo-Gangetic belt, where groundwater depletion is far more acute and political economy more complex.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did PM Modi say about Madhya Pradesh in Mann Ki Baat 136?
PM Modi specifically praised Sidhi district in Madhya Pradesh for its outstanding water conservation work driven by active public participation during the 136th edition of Mann Ki Baat. He also spoke about the 'Catch the Rain' campaign, the Vikram-1 launch, and India's athletes.
What is the Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan?
The Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan is a water conservation initiative in Madhya Pradesh guided by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, now in its third consecutive year. It focuses on building farm ponds, recharging groundwater, and linking conservation with local livelihoods.
How many water conservation projects have been completed in Sidhi district?
According to an official press statement, 12,983 water conservation projects have been completed in Sidhi district, including 1,489 farm ponds. These have increased the district's water storage capacity by 44,82,612 cubic metres.
How has water conservation benefited farmers in Sidhi?
Fish farming in 211 ponds and Singhada (water chestnut) cultivation in 178 ponds have generated direct economic benefits of around ₹80 lakh for fishermen's groups, self-help groups, and individual farmers in Sidhi district.
Where did CM Mohan Yadav listen to Mann Ki Baat on 26 July?
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav attended the Mann Ki Baat 136 listening event at Kanchana Ghat in Orchha, a tourism and religious centre in Niwari district, Madhya Pradesh, alongside local residents and public representatives.
