The Maharashtra government has organised a state-level ‘Reel for Soil and Water Conservation’ competition across all 36 districts to spread awareness about soil and water conservation among young people and the wider public. Youth aged 15 to 30 can participate by uploading 30 to 60-second Instagram reels between August 15 and 19.
Participants can create reels on topics including soil conservation, water saving, rainwater harvesting, farm ponds, check dams, watershed development, tree plantation and successful conservation initiatives in villages. Storytelling, acting, music, dance, animation, short films, before-and-after visuals and drone footage can be used, but the main message must focus on soil and water conservation.
The entries will be judged on their message, creativity, social impact, presentation, technical quality and Instagram engagement, with winners not being selected solely on likes or followers. The top three district-level winners will receive Rs 25,000, Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively, along with recognition as ‘Yuva Mrud-Jaldut’. Soil and Water Conservation Minister Sanjay Rathod has appealed to students, Instagram creators, YouTubers and social media influencers to participate.
