Q1. Assertion (A): The Vande Ganga Jal Sanrakshan Jan Abhiyan-2026 of Rajasthan converges with the central Jal Shakti Abhiyan Catch the Rain and the Atal Bhujal Yojana along with MGNREGS labour. Reason (R): Rajasthan is one of the most water stressed states in India with extensive arid and semi arid zones in the western Thar Desert region and has the largest geographical area of any Indian state.
Explanation
Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. The Vande Ganga Jal Sanrakshan Jan Abhiyan-2026 launched by Rajasthan converges with central programmes precisely because Rajasthan extreme water stress and arid geography make standalone state action insufficient. The Thar Desert occupies western Rajasthan covering nearly 60 per cent of the states geographical area which itself is the largest in India at 342239 square kilometres. Convergence with Jal Shakti Abhiyan Catch the Rain launched in 2021 the Atal Bhujal Yojana implemented in seven groundwater stressed states including Rajasthan and MGNREGS labour pools resources to maximise rainwater capture pond restoration and groundwater recharge.