IAS Tina Dabi Bringing water to Rajasthan, Barmer

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As the Collector of Barmer, Rajasthan, IAS Tina Dabi Bringing water to Rajasthan, Barmer, revitalized traditional water bodies, built over 87,000 rainwater tanks as part of the Catch the Rain campaign, and received national recognition and a ₹2 crore award from President Droupadi Murmu for transforming one of India’s driest districts through her creative Tanka Model.
Water scarcity has long been associated with Barmer, a desert area in western Rajasthan. Tragic events brought communities’ desperation to light, and women frequently had to go miles to obtain water. The 2015 UPSC winner IAS Tina Dabi entered this difficult environment and led a water revolution while serving as District Collector.

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In addition to relieving hundreds of people’s thirst, her efforts under the Catch the Rain campaign have made Barmer a national model for water conservation.

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The Water Crisis in Barmer

Due to Rajasthan’s arid climate, there are severe water shortages in places like Barmer.

The need for sustainable solutions was highlighted in 2022 by reports of women dying while retrieving water from deep tanks.
The situation was made worse by the deterioration of traditional supplies such as stepwells, lakes, and ponds.

The Tanka Model: Tina Dabi’s Vision

Dabi presented the Tanka Model after seeing the necessity of localized solutions:

Water storage was made possible by the installation of rainwater harvesting tanks, or tankas, in homes.
Over 87,000 tankas have been built in Barmer by December 2024.
New rural housing developments now require rooftop rainwater harvesting.
Old bodies of water were brought back to life by fusing innovation and tradition.

Innovations

To avoid contamination and mishaps, tankas were equipped with hand-pump systems and locked covers.

Villagers became involved in their own water security as a result of the emphasis on community involvement.

National Honors because IAS Tina Dabi Bringing water to Rajasthan, Barmer

Tina Dabi’s contributions were acknowledged:

President Droupadi Murmu gave the first Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Award to the Barmer district at the 6th National Water Awards 2025.
For her groundbreaking achievement, Dabi was personally awarded a ₹2 crore cash prize.
Her idea has now been embraced as a national blueprint for dry regions and is being replicated all throughout India.

Impact on Communities:

During the monsoon, villages can now stockpile 3–4 months of drinkable water.
Water fetching, which was previously the responsibility of women, is now easier and safer.
Both practical utility and cultural heritage have been restored by the resurgence of traditional water bodies.
Water conservation is becoming a people’s movement because public involvement has increased confidence in government.

The National Significance of This

With desertification and climate change exacerbating scarcity, India is facing an impending water crisis.

Dabi’s concept illustrates how community involvement, policy, and innovation may come together to produce long-term solutions.
Her honors serve as a reminder of how young IAS officers are advancing transformative government.

Final Thoughts

IAS Tina Dabi’s experience at Barmer is a human story of resiliency, inventiveness, and hope rather than just an administrative triumph. She has revolutionized governance in one of India’s most difficult regions by transforming rainwater into a lifeline. Her work serves as a lighthouse for neighboring districts, demonstrating that even deserts can flourish with vision and involvement.
In the future, Dabi’s efforts serve as an example of how regional solutions can influence national strategy. Her Barmer model provides a reproducible framework for sustainable development as climate change exacerbates water scarcity. In order to ensure that future generations inherit a more secure water legacy, it is important to harvest resilience, trust, and involvement in addition to rain.

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