Nagpur: Padma awardees and grassroots water conservation champions from across the country were felicitated for their remarkable contributions to water sustainability and rural transformation at Union minister Nitin Gadkari’s two-day Jalsamvaad and Jalkranti Parishad held in the city.Among those felicitated was Subhash Sharma, recognised for promoting chemical-free natural farming practices in drought-affected Yavatmal, and Chaitram Pawar, credited with transforming Dhule’s Baripada village into a self-reliant ecosystem through extensive afforestation and water conservation efforts. Social worker Aniket Amte was also honoured for advancing the legacy of Baba Amte through Lok Biradari Prakalp in Hemalkasa, a remote village in the Gadchiroli district, and his work in community welfare.The event also celebrated several prominent water conservationists from across the country, including Ramveer Tanwar, who has led restoration efforts for over 100 lakes nationwide, and Suresh Khanapurkar, known for developing Shirpur Pattern of water harvesting.Felicitating the awardees, Gadkari said these individuals have worked tirelessly for water conservation and their stories serve as an inspiration to others to join the movement and strengthen efforts towards sustainable water management.
