IUST Kashmir, BHSS Srinagar among winners of 6th National Water Awards 2024

Ziraat Times Team Report

New Delhi: The Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) Awantipora and Boys Higher Secondary School (BHSS) Zainakote, Srinagar have brought laurels to Jammu & Kashmir by securing top honours in the 6th National Water Awards (NWA) 2024, announced today by the Ministry of Jal Shakti in New Delhi.

Union Minister for Jal Shakti, C.R. Paatil, announced the list of 46 winners, including joint winners across 10 categories, at Shram Shakti Bhawan. The prestigious awards recognize exemplary efforts in water conservation and management across the country.

In the Best Institution (other than school and college – Inside Campus) category, IUST Awantipora, Kashmir, bagged the Second Prize (Joint Winner) for its initiatives in sustainable water management and campus-level conservation. Meanwhile, Boys High School BHSS Zainakote, Srinagar, clinched the Second Prize in the Best School or College category for its water-saving practices and student-led awareness campaigns.

The award ceremony will be held on November 18, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, where President of India  Droupadi Murmu will confer the honours to the winners.

The National Water Awards, instituted by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, aim to promote awareness and recognize efforts in the conservation, management, and judicious use of water resources.

For the 2024 edition, a total of 751 applications were received through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs. After rigorous evaluation and ground verification by the Central Water Commission (CWC) and the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), 46 winners were selected across categories including Best State, Best District, Best Village Panchayat, Best Urban Local Body, Best Institution, Best Industry, and Best Individual for Excellence in Water Sector.

Among the key national winners, Maharashtra was adjudged the Best State, followed by Gujarat and Haryana. In other categories, Apollo Tyres Limited (Tamil Nadu) won Best Industry, while Rajnandgaon (Chhattisgarh), Khargone (Madhya Pradesh), and Mirzapur (Uttar Pradesh) topped the district-level honours in their respective zones.

The Ministry of Jal Shakti stated that the awards reflect the government’s commitment towards building a ‘Jal Samridh Bharat’ and inspiring individuals and institutions to adopt efficient and sustainable water use practices.

The recognition of IUST and BHSS Srinagar marks a proud moment for Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting the region’s growing participation in national efforts towards water sustainability and resource conservation.