From Carrying Water on a Bicycle to National Recognition: IAS Nagarjuna Gowda Leads Water Conservation Revolution in Khargone

Khargone, Madhya Pradesh: Khargone district has set a new benchmark in water conservation, earning the National Water Award recently. This achievement is credited to the dedicated efforts of IAS Dr. Nagarjuna B. Gowda, CEO of the District Panchayat, whose childhood experiences inspired a lifelong mission for water preservation.

A Personal Journey Inspiring a Public Mission
Born on 5 May 1992 in a small village in Tumakuru district, Karnataka, Nagarjuna Gowda grew up witnessing severe water shortages. His parents, both teachers, instilled in him the value of public service. As a child, he had to carry water over long distances on a bicycle and manually operate borewells to fetch a few buckets of water. These experiences shaped his commitment to sustainable water management.

After completing his medical studies, Nagarjuna Gowda cleared the UPSC examination and joined the 2019 IAS batch. His wife, Srishti Jayant Deshmukh, is also a distinguished IAS officer. Assigned to Madhya Pradesh, he took charge as CEO of Khargone District Panchayat and transformed the “Jal Sanrakshan, Jan Bhagidari” (JSJB) campaign into a massive movement. Under his leadership, villagers, school authorities, and district officials collectively promoted rainwater harvesting and water conservation techniques.

Transformative Impact in Khargone
Thanks to these efforts, over 125,000 water conservation projects were implemented across Khargone, including more than 40,000 rooftop rainwater harvesting systems, recharge pits, and trenches. This extensive work led to the district being recognized as the “Best Performing District” and awarded ₹2 crore by the Ministry of Jal Shakti under the national rainwater harvesting program. Receiving the award from the President of India on 18 November 2025, Gowda said, “When the JSJB initiative began, it became a personal mission for me.”

Addressing Recent Controversy
Recently, the award drew criticism over the alleged use of AI-generated images. IAS Nagarjuna Gowda and the Khargone district administration clarified that only authentic images were used in the JSJB award evaluation. The AI-generated images on the ‘Catch the Rain’ portal were for educational purposes and had no connection to the National Water Award.

A Model for Sustainable Development
IAS Gowda’s story demonstrates how personal experiences and dedicated leadership can transform public policy and achieve national recognition. Khargone’s water revolution now serves as a model for other districts across India, proving that sustainable practices combined with community participation can deliver remarkable results.