Tripura earned national acclaim as North Tripura and Sepahijala districts won prestigious National Water Awards 2025 for outstanding water conservation. President Droupadi Murmu honoured the initiatives, highlighting community participation, sustainability, and India’s growing focus on long-term water security.
Tripura has achieved significant national recognition for its exemplary efforts in water conservation, as two of its districts—North Tripura and Sepahijala—secured top honours at the prestigious National Water Awards 2025. The awards were conferred by President Droupadi Murmu during a ceremony held on November 18, 2025, at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi, marking a proud moment for the northeastern state.
The accolades highlight the transformative initiatives undertaken by district administrations to mitigate water scarcity, rejuvenate groundwater sources, and implement sustainable water management practices. Both districts stood out for their innovation, community involvement, and measurable impact in strengthening local water security.
North Tripura: Leading the Northeast with 11,000+ Conservation Structures
North Tripura received the award for the “Best Performing District in the North East & Hilly Zone” under the government’s Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) Campaign.
The recognition comes after the district successfully created over 11,000 water conservation structures between February and May 2025—an achievement that reflects meticulous planning, grassroots participation, and relentless execution.
The North Tripura District Administration, working in close coordination with public representatives, local bodies, and community volunteers, spearheaded a series of watershed interventions. These included check dams, recharge pits, contour trenches, and desiltation measures aimed at boosting groundwater recharge and improving water availability in rural belts. The district was also awarded a cash prize of Rs 2 crore, acknowledging its outstanding contribution to the nationwide campaign.
Sepahijala District Also Shines Nationally
Sepahijala district was honoured with the Best District Award in its category for implementing effective measures to enhance both water availability and water quality.
Officials and local communities collaborated to rejuvenate aging water bodies, expand rainwater harvesting systems, and restore critical catchment areas. As a result, the district has reported substantial improvement in water storage capacity and year-round access for domestic and agricultural use.
Alongside Sepahijala, this year’s top district awards were also presented to Rajnandgaon (Chhattisgarh), Khargone (Madhya Pradesh), Mirzapur (Uttar Pradesh), and Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu), each excelling in their respective zones. Since their inception in 2018, the National Water Awards aim to spotlight best practices and promote a Jal Samriddh Bharat, or water-prosperous India.
Nationwide Commitment to Water Security
In addition to the district-level recognitions, Maharashtra secured the Best State Award for its comprehensive efforts in water conservation, followed by Gujarat and Haryana, according to an official statement released during the event.
Addressing the gathering, President Droupadi Murmu underscored the urgency of protecting India’s diminishing freshwater reserves. She called upon both private entities and public institutions to treat water as a sacred and finite national resource, stressing that irresponsible use would jeopardize the country’s long-term water security.
Citing the ancient wisdom of the Rig Veda—“apsu antah amritam” (there is immortality in water)—President Murmu reminded the nation of its rich heritage of valuing water as life itself. “A person can survive a few days without food, but not without water,” she said, highlighting the need for mindful consumption.
Climate Change and the Need for Collaboration
The President warned that climate change was disrupting the water cycle, putting immense pressure on already limited water resources. She urged a strengthened partnership between the government and citizens to ensure equitable access and sustainable use. Murmu emphasized the importance of groundwater preservation, adopting circular water economy practices, and promoting reuse and recycling across industries.
Jal Jeevan Mission: A Transformational Shift
Reflecting on the government’s water supply initiatives, President Murmu noted the rapid progress under the Jal Jeevan Mission. “In 2019, only 17 percent of Indian households had tap water. Today, that figure has risen to 81 percent,” she said. She highlighted that this expansion has significantly benefited women and girls, relieving nearly 9 crore women from the daily burden of fetching water.
She cautioned, however, that improved supply must be matched by responsible use. “Families who use water wisely are safe from economic problems. Communities that conserve water will always be safe from scarcity,” she said, urging collective responsibility.
A Call for Lifelong Water Stewardship
Murmu called upon every citizen to view water conservation as a lifelong duty, deeply rooted in India’s cultural and environmental ethos. She emphasized that only with the unified participation of families, civil society, and government institutions can sustainable water management be achieved.
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