Sepahijala district in Tripura earns national recognition as President Droupadi Murmu confers the National Water Award for excellence in water conservation. The district shines for sustainable initiatives, efficient water use, and community-led efforts ensuring long-term water security.
Sepahijala district in Tripura, once considered an obscure region in India’s Northeast, emerged into the national spotlight on Tuesday after receiving a prestigious honour from President Droupadi Murmu for its outstanding work in water conservation, sustainable management, and community-led initiatives. The recognition was presented during the Sixth National Water Awards, which celebrated exemplary efforts across the country toward building a Jal Samriddh Bharat — a water-prosperous India.
Sepahijala made history as the only district from the entire Northeastern region to be honoured this year, earning a place among India’s top performers for innovation and efficiency in managing water resources. The district’s award highlighted its sustained initiatives aimed at improving water availability, preserving groundwater, and ensuring better water quality for its residents.
Alongside Sepahijala, the President presented district-level awards to Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh, Khargone in Madhya Pradesh, Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh, and Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu, with each excelling in their respective zones. Instituted in 2018, the National Water Awards recognise and encourage communities, district administrations, institutions, and industries that demonstrate successful water management models capable of being replicated across the nation.
Maharashtra secured the Best State Award in water conservation, followed by Gujarat and Haryana, reflecting large-scale adoption of sustainable practices in regions highly dependent on agriculture and industrial water usage.
Addressing the gathering, President Murmu stressed the urgent need for collective responsibility in protecting India’s fragile freshwater reserves. She urged public institutions, private stakeholders, and common citizens to treat water as a “sacred and finite national resource,” reminding the nation of its ancient wisdom that underscores the life-giving power of water.
Quoting the Rig Veda, she said, “Apsu antah amritam — there is immortality in water.” Expanding on this, she noted, “Water is life. A person can survive a few days without food, but not without water. We must remember that we are consuming a precious resource that cannot be wasted.”
The President lauded the 46 awardees across 10 different categories for their contribution to innovation, conservation, and efficient water use. “I congratulate all individuals and organisations who have received this award today. You are working hard for water, and your work is crucial for our nation,” she said.
Murmu also warned that climate change is severely disrupting natural water cycles, placing immense pressure on India’s already strained water resources. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and rapid depletion of aquifers are creating serious challenges that, she said, can only be addressed through coordinated action between the government and the people.
“In such a situation, the government and the public must work together to safeguard water availability,” she said. She emphasised the need to preserve groundwater, promote a circular water economy, and adopt large-scale reuse and recycling, particularly in industrial sectors that consume significant volumes of water.
The President highlighted the transformational impact of the Jal Jeevan Mission, which has rapidly expanded tap-water connectivity to households nationwide. “In 2019, less than 17 percent of homes had tap water. Today, the number has risen to 81 percent. Women and girls have benefited the most, with nearly nine crore women freed from the daily burden of fetching water,” she said. However, she noted that infrastructure alone is not enough—responsible usage is essential to ensure long-term sustainability.
Drawing a parallel between water and financial savings, Murmu said communities must learn to “deposit before withdrawing.” Recharging natural water sources, she said, is the key to ensuring sustainable access in the future. “Families who use water wisely remain free from economic hardship. Communities that respect water will never face scarcity.”
Highlighting the cultural and spiritual significance of water in Indian traditions, the President called for “lifelong water stewardship” at both individual and institutional levels. “India’s water heritage is deeply tied to its cultural identity. People and communities must use water with great respect. Only through collective participation from families, society, and government can sustainable water management be ensured,” she added.
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With its national recognition, Sepahijala district now stands as a model for the Northeast and the rest of India, showcasing how community engagement, innovative planning, and sustainable practices can reshape a region’s water landscape.
