As March comes to an end, Balaghat district is already facing an acute water crisis. Whether it's drinking water shortages or the lack of irrigation water for farmers, the situation has worsened. Farmers dependent on paddy cultivation are particularly struggling, with dry canals sparking protests. In response to the crisis, District Collector Mrinal Meena has issued a strict and unexpected order, declaring the entire district water-scarce from April 1 to July 31.

Restrictions on Water Usage

Under this new directive:

No person or organization can use public water sources for irrigation or industrial purposes without permission.

Boring new tubewells has been completely banned.

Using motor pumps to extract water during public water supply hours is now prohibited.

Village panchayats and municipal councils have been directed to seize unauthorized motor pumps.

Violators will face up to two years in jail or a fine of ₹2,000.

Statewide Water Conservation Campaign

As part of a broader initiative, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister has launched the 'Jal Ganga Conservation Campaign', running from March 30 to June 30, 2025. He urged people to come together and save every drop of water, emphasizing that water conservation is key to a prosperous future.

संरक्षित जल, समृद्ध कल।
साथ आएं, जल बचाएं।।

💧 जल गंगा संवर्धन अभियान 💧
30 मार्च से 30 जून 2025

आइये, मिलकर सहेजें
जल की हर एक बूंद, हर एक स्रोत@DrMohanYadav51 @minmpwrd #जल_गंगा_संवर्धन_अभियान_MP #CMMadhyaPradesh pic.twitter.com/ndyCfuI1VK

— Chief Minister, MP (@CMMadhyaPradesh) March 29, 2025

With this crisis unfolding early in the year, the administration is urging residents to follow water conservation measures strictly to avoid further depletion of resources.

As part of a broader initiative, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister has launched the 'Jal Ganga Conservation Campaign', running from March 30 to June 30, 2025. He urged people to come together and save every drop of water, emphasizing that water conservation is key to a prosperous future.

Local authorities are closely monitoring the situation to ensure strict implementation of water restrictions. The district administration is also encouraging residents to adopt rainwater harvesting, use water judiciously, and report any violations. With rising temperatures and depleting groundwater levels, experts warn that the coming months could see an even more severe crisis if conservation efforts are not taken seriously.