Jodhpur, June 18 -- Union culture and tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Tuesday said that water conservation in Rajasthan is no longer just a government initiative, but has transformed into a mass movement. He highlighted the role played by women, noting that their active participation reflected their deep environmental awareness, owing to being among the most affected by water scarcity. Speaking to the media, Shekhawat said: "Under the Vande Ganga water conservation campaign, the state's rural development and panchayati raj department has already conducted around 57,000 to 58,000 programmes across the state. The campaign is active in all districts and divisions, with the highest participation seen from women." He further said that growing public awareness about water conservation has turned the campaign into a genuine people's movement. "Thousands of traditional water bodies have been revived under the initiative, including cleaning of catchment areas and removal of blockages. Notable progress has also been made in rejuvenating the Jojari river, which is expected to bring long-term benefits to areas within a 26-km radius of Jodhpur," he said. The Union minister also spoke about his discussion with chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, during which he proposed the transportation of chemically treated wastewater from textile units in Pali, Jodhpur, and Balotra to the Kutch region via pipelines. The CM has given in-principle approval to the proposal, said the minister. The Union minister added that the plan would not only benefit industries but also improve the quality of polluted land. "Once treated water flowed into rivers, it would help restore their natural purity and contribute to the prosperity of farmers," he added....