Amaravati, January 25, 2026: In a drought-prone corner of Andhra Pradesh, the people of Anantapur have turned the tide on water scarcity through sheer community effort. Villagers desilted tanks, restored traditional ponds, repaired irrigation channels, and merged time-tested local wisdom with modern tools under initiatives like Ananta Neeru Sanrakshana.
The result: more than 10 reservoirs now hold water again, groundwater levels show signs of recharge, borewells are reviving, and over 7,000 trees add green cover.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted this “inspiring people’s movement” in the first Mann Ki Baat of 2026, calling public participation India's greatest strength in addressing water challenges.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu welcomed the recognition, tying it to the state's Swarna Andhra Vision where water security ranks among core goals.
