GUWAHATI, July 12: In a significant move, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a directive for all its affiliated schools to implement ‘Jal Doot’, an initiative originally developed by the Assam government under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).

‘Jal Doot’ is part of the broader objectives of the JJM, which is focused on providing functional tap water connections to every rural household in India by 2024.

The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), launched by the Prime Minister on March 22, 2021, is a comprehensive initiative to ensure sustainable water management across India.

Taking to X, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote: “Another novel #Assampolicy initiative gets more eyeballs and followers! CBSE has directed all its schools to implement ‘Jal Doot’, a brainchild of the Assam Govt. This practical program weaves students into community efforts for water conservation.”

In its directive to all the heads of CBSE affiliated schools, CBSE director (academics) Dr Joseph Emmanuel said: ““It has now been decided to extend the idea of the Jal Doot programme across India’s diverse landscapes to reap manifold increase in its benefits. This nationwide movement could significantly bolster India’s efforts towards sustainable water use, environmental conservation, climate resilience and involving young minds (Jal Doots) in Jan Andolan for fresh ideas and youthful energy.”

“Jal Jeevan Mission, Assam has pioneered an initiative namely ‘Jal Doot programme for recognizing the role of students in the arena of water conservation. Under the programme, students of classes VIII to XII called ‘Jal Doots’, play a crucial role in its execution and outreach. The program aims to create student champions who will provide an assessment of Piped water supply schemes in their locality among other activities like ambassadors of safe drinking water, water quality, water conservation etc,” the order stated.

“Activities about the Jal Doot programme may be undertaken by the schools” the order stated.

“The students represent the most dynamic and influential segment of the community, capable of driving significant social and environmental change,” the order added.

Till Friday, the JJM covered 57,21,541 households (79.89%) across the state.

Before the announcement of JJM on August 15, 2019, there were 1,11,311 (1.55%) households with tap water in the state.

As many as 34,000 students have been engaged as Jal Doot in the state to create awareness of water preservation under the JJM in the state.

These Jal Doots assess the quality of piped water and the functional status of the water supply connection to every household.

“10 students of 9th to 10th standard have been engaged as Jal Doot against each scheme of the JJM. The students have to submit their reports to the state government as their educational projects,” an official of JJM said.

The selected students have to undergo a two-day workshop on water, sanitation, and health along with community engagement.

“They have to go to the fields to know about the working mechanism of the pipe water supply system. They will also be given field test kits to monitor the water quality. The Jal Doots have to also interact with various people of the community on issues like climate change, and water conservation efforts and record all the things in the Jal Doot diary,” the official said.

“Through this initiative, some climate-aware children have been able to work for the betterment of the community,” he said.

The programme has been implemented with active support from India National Resource Economics and Management (INREM) Foundation, an empanelled sector partner under the National Jal Jeevan Mission (NJJM), Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation.

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