President Droupadi Murmu presented Gorakhpur-born IAS officer Siddharth Shiv Jaiswal with the Best District Award for the North East Zone during a prestigious ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on Tuesday. This remarkable achievement marks the third consecutive national honor for the dedicated civil servant, recognizing his exceptional contributions to public service and environmental conservation.
From Army Doctor to Award-Winning Administrator
Jaiswal, who originally served as a doctor in the Indian Army before joining the civil services, has built an impressive track record of achievements. The native of Mundera Bazar in Chauri Chaura currently serves as the District Magistrate of Sepahijala in Tripura, where his innovative approaches to water management have earned national recognition.
The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti specifically honored Jaiswal for the district's significant progress in water conservation, river rejuvenation, floodplain protection, and sustainable natural resource management. According to officials, this prestigious award reflects well-coordinated departmental actions combined with strong community participation across the entire district.
Transforming Sepahijala's Water Landscape
Under Jaiswal's dynamic leadership, the Sepahijala administration accomplished the impressive feat of rejuvenating 30 kilometers of riverbanks. This comprehensive project included habitat restoration, plantation of native species, and construction of embankments and retention basins specifically designed to improve water storage capacity and control erosion.
The district witnessed a dramatic increase in groundwater recharge levels as part of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan initiatives. In total, 42 water bodies were successfully revived, while the significant Rudrasagar Ramsar Wetland spanning 2.4 square kilometers underwent complete hydrological restoration.
The wetland restoration project involved extensive cleaning and de-weeding operations funded through MGNREGA and 15th Finance Commission grants. These efforts have significantly boosted local biodiversity while simultaneously strengthening the region's eco-tourism potential.
A Legacy of National Recognition
This latest honor adds to Jaiswal's growing collection of national awards. He previously received the President's Award for Bhoomi Samman in 2023 and the National Water Award 2023 for implementing groundbreaking reforms in Dhalai district.
His work in Sepahijala district also earned him the National Water Award 2024 for constructing innovative recharge structures, geo-tagging water bodies, building check dams, and overseeing the planting of over 41 lakh bamboo saplings.
Speaking to media representatives after receiving the award, Jaiswal expressed that this recognition would further motivate his administration. "Our team worked tirelessly to address critical issues including the depletion of water streams, seasonal water shortages, and the urgent need for floodplain conservation," he stated. "This award strengthens our resolve to serve society even better and continue our environmental conservation efforts."
