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{{Infobox festival
| name = Jal Utsav
| native_name =
| logo =
| logo_caption =
| caption =
| genre = Cultural festival focusing on water conservation
| dates = November 15-25, annually
| venue = Het Ni Haveli, [[Dudhala]]
| location = [[Dudhala]], Amreli district, Gujarat, India
| coordinates = {{coord|21.68|N|71.36|E|display=inline,title}}
| country = [[India]]
| years_active =
| first = 2023
| founders = Dholakia Foundation & [[Government of Gujarat]]
| attendance = 125,000
| website = [https://jalutsav.com/ Official Jal Utsav Website]
}}

'''Jal Utsav''' is an annual cultural and environmental festival held at Het Ni Haveli, [[Dudhala]], [[Amreli district]], [[Gujarat]], India, focusing on water conservation and sustainable practices. It is India's first carbon-neutral festival.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=India's first Carbon-neutral Festival: Jal Utsav |url=http://www.decadeonrestoration.org/events/indias-first-carbon-neutral-festival-jal-utsav |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=UN Decade on Restoration |language=en}}</ref> The festival is a collaboration between the [[Government of Gujarat]] and the Dholakia Foundation, aiming to promote environmental awareness and celebrate the region's cultural heritage.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=2023-11-16 |title=Gujarat's first Jal Utsav inaugurated in Amreli |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/gujarats-first-jal-utsav-inaugurated-in-amreli/articleshow/105267433.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-04-25 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Presswire |first=EIN |date=2023-10-30 |title=Gujarat Government, Dholakia Foundation Welcomes UN Agencies and Hosts India’s First-ever Carbon Neutral Water Festival |url=https://www.krqe.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/665033742/gujarat-government-dholakia-foundation-welcomes-un-agencies-and-hosts-indias-first-ever-carbon-neutral-water-festival/ |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=KRQE NEWS 13 - |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Gujarat Government, Dholakia Foundation Welcomes UN Agencies and Hosts India’s First-ever Carbon Neutral Water Festival |url=https://www.dehlidailytimes.com/article/671100005-gujarat-s-first-of-its-kind-jal-utsav-successfully-concluded-wrote-history-as-record-breaking-attendance-of-over-125000 |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=www.dehlidailytimes.com}}</ref>

== Overview ==
Initiated in 2023, Jal Utsav was inaugurated by the Governor of Gujarat, [[Acharya Devvrat]], and the [[Chief minister]], [[Bhupendrabhai Patel]]. The festival is held at Het Ni Haveli, a significant location near Dudhala.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-17 |title=First Jal Utsav inaugurated by Gujarat Governor Shri Acharya Devvrat and Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel |url=https://apnews.com/press-release/ein-presswire-newsmatics/india-inaugurations-595afb7c9c692a0b995c9eed4b35a58a |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>

== Background and objectives ==
Jal Utsav was first held from November 15 to 25, 2023, with the aim of raising awareness about water conservation. The festival offers a variety of activities designed to educate and engage visitors in a festive atmosphere, emphasizing sustainable practices.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gujarat Government, Dholakia Foundation Welcomes UN Agencies and Hosts India’s First-ever Carbon Neutral Water Festival |url=https://kalkinemedia.com/news/world-news/gujarat-government-dholakia-foundation-welcomes-un-agencies-and-hosts-indias-first-ever-carbon-neutral-water-festival |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=kalkinemedia.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-28 |title=Dholakia Foundation & Gujarat Govt.’s ‘Jal Utsav’ Promotes Water Conservation In Drought-Prone Amreli |url=https://gjepc.org/solitaire/dholakia-foundation-gujarat-govt-s-jal-utsav-promotes-water-conservation-in-drought-prone-amreli/ |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=Solitaire International Magazine - India’s leading B2B gem and jewellery magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Main features ==
The festival includes:

* Water sports and activities
* Cultural evenings with music and dance performances
* Educational workshops on water conservation
* amusements in carnivals <ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=FIRST JAL UTSAV INAUGURATED BY GUJARAT GOVERNOR SHRI ACHARYA DEVVRAT AND GUJARAT CHIEF MINISTER SHRI BHUPENDRA PATEL |url=https://www.dehlidailytimes.com/article/669238976-first-jal-utsav-inaugurated-by-gujarat-governor-shri-acharya-devvrat-and-gujarat-chief-minister-shri-bhupendra-patel |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=www.dehlidailytimes.com}}</ref>

== Conservation impact ==
Jal Utsav has made significant contributions to environmental conservation through its water conservation and ecosystem restoration initiatives. The festival has facilitated the development of over 140 lakes in Gujarat, collectively storing more than 15 billion liters of water to alleviate regional water scarcity. The United Nations has recognized the Dholakia Foundation's contribution to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Team |first=ENI |title=First Jal Utsav inaugurated by Gujarat Governor Shri Acharya Devvrat and Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel |url=https://globalwarming.einnews.com/pr_news/669238976/first-jal-utsav-inaugurated-by-gujarat-governor-shri-acharya-devvrat-and-gujarat-chief-minister-shri-bhupendra-patel |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=globalwarming.einnews.com}}</ref>

Additionally, 'Amrit Van,' a botanical garden created as part of the festival, features over 26,000 plantations of 70 different species, serving educational and ecological purposes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=network |first=diamond news |date=2023-11-20 |title=Gujarat Governor, Chief Minister inaugurate the first Jal Utsav in Lathi-Dudhala |url=https://www.diamondworld.net/news/gujarat-governor-chief-minister-inaugurate-the-first-jal-utsav-in-lathi-dudhala |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=Diamond World |language=en}}</ref>

== Significance and impact ==
The festival attracts over 125,000 visitors annually, highlighting its role in promoting environmental awareness and community engagement in sustainability efforts. Jal Utsav also serves as a model for water conservation initiatives in India.<ref>{{Cite web |last=IN |first=FashionNetwork com |title=Hari Krishna Exports' Dholakia Foundation launches 'Jal Utsav' with Gujarat Government |url=https://in.fashionnetwork.com/news/Hari-krishna-exports-dholakia-foundation-launches-jal-utsav-with-gujarat-government,1578649.html |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=FashionNetwork.com |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

== See also ==

* [[List of festivals in India]]
* [[Sustainable living]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Festivals in Gujarat]]

Jal Utsav - Revision history

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