The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is set to lead the Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat for the third — and second straight — time, wants the panchayat to take up water conservation and rainwater harvesting works on priority basis in order to recharge the groundwater table across the district.
K. Pratapsimha Nayak, president of the BJP’s Dakshina Kannada unit, told reporters on Thursday that groundwater table has depleted considerably over the years, and that the panchayat cannot be idle and allow it to deplete further. The party expects the panchayat to get to work on building check dams to water sources and to focus on methods to recharge groundwater. Among their plans is planting fruit-bearing saplings.
He said although the panchayat had proposed to the government 21 multi-village drinking water supply projects, only five projects relating to Bantwal taluk were approved.
He said the panchayat should take up the remaining project proposals and make them a reality by approaching the government constantly. The projects involve supplying water by building either check dams/vented dams or by building jackwells.
Jackfruit saplings
Mr. Nayak said jackfruit is in great demand now, and its cultivation has become popular given its rich timber value. The party wants the panchayat to popularise jackfruit cultivation throughout the district by taking up a campaign. The Department of Horticulture already has a scheme to promote jackfruit clusters.
He said the panchayat should also give priority to the Swachh Bharat campaign by getting gram panchayats involved in keeping villages clean. There should also be investment into tourist facilities on highways and solar energy, he added.
