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Maharashtra wins first prize as best state in National Water Awards

The award did not come as a surprise for experts of Pune-based Watershed Organisation trust (WOTR), who had earlier carried out an assessment of water governance aspects in multiple states.

3 min readPuneNov 19, 2025 07:45 PM IST

The awards are a part of a campaign to spread awareness about water management and water conservation on a national level. (File photo/Representational)

When the 6th National Water Awards were given out by President Doupadi Murmu at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi on Wednesday, it was Maharashtra that bagged first prize for the Best State. Gujarat emerged in the second position, and Haryana was in the third.

Instituted by the Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD &GR), under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the awards are a part of a campaign to spread awareness about water management and water conservation on a national level. It focuses on the “good work and efforts made by individuals and organisations across the country in attaining the government’s vision of a Jal Samridh Bharat. The awards are for creating awareness among the people about the importance of water and motivating them to adopt best water usage practices”.

The award did not come as a surprise for experts of Pune-based Watershed Organisation trust (WOTR), who had earlier carried out an assessment of water governance aspects in multiple states. “Maharashtra’s performance is outstanding compared to that of Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand,” says Dr Eshwer Kale, Thematic Lead at WOTR.

He adds that vast infrastructure was built through small, medium and major irrigation projects in Maharashtra, besides carrying out an implementation of soil and water conservation measures, such as watershed development in thousands of villages across the state, is a testament to this effort. The organisation applied a Water Governance Standard (WGS) Toolkit, which it has developed, to assess village water governance. “Despite receiving less rainfall and having a highly commercial cropping pattern than Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra fared comparatively better in water resource management,” says Dr Kale.

He adds that Maharashtra’s success is not only due to necessity – as over a third of the state is perennially drought-prone and another third often plagued by water scarcity – but also due to significant efforts and investments made in soil and water conservation, watershed development, irrigation projects, and water management over decades. This includes not only creating physical infrastructure but also raising awareness and mobilising communities, building stakeholder ownership, strengthening the capacities of local leadership and institutions, and fostering collaborative partnerships across stakeholders.

“Maharashtra has been a pioneer in formulating policies and promoting water efficiency-enhancing technologies in the farm sector, such as the Maharashtra Water Resource Regulatory Authority Act, 2005 (MWRRA, 2005), the Maharashtra Groundwater Act 1993 and 2009, and Maharashtra Management of Irrigation Systems by Farmers Act-2005. These factors, among others, have contributed to 67% of villages assessed in Maharashtra receiving a citation, compared to only 6% in Madhya Pradesh and 3% in Jharkhand,” says Crispino Lobo, Co-founder and Managing Trustee of WOTR.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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