Around four lakh wells in the district will be recharged as part of the District Panchayat’s ‘Jalashree’ project which will be launched this week. The wide-ranging project, aimed at finding sustainable solutions to prevent drinking water scarcity, also involved cleaning up and reclaiming all water sources, spreading of rainwater harvesting activities and other steps to increase the water retention capability of the soil.
Addressing a press conference here on Monday, District Panchayat president V.K.Madhu said that all the grama panchayats and block panchayats will join together in the massive effort over the next three years.
“As part of Jalashree, this year, we have planned projects for around ₹200 crore, with funds from the plan funds of the local bodies, the funds from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and the Soil and Water Conservation Department. During last summer, we realised the graveness of the situation we are facing as far as water scarcity is concerned. It is one of the reasons which spurred us to take this project up,” said Mr. Madhu.
Recharging of wells, construction of rainwater pits, renovation of ponds, planting of saplings, building of check dams, and protection of water sources would be taken up. He said that participation of the people at every level is required for the project to succeed. Special grama sabhas, under the name of Jala Sabhas will be held on October 2 at every panchayat to elect a 50-member Jala Samithi (Water committee).
Water survey and water panchayat will be held across the district in November. Awareness campaigns and water literacy programmes will be held at various levels.
Out of the 6 lakh wells in the district, 2 lakh wells come under the corporation and municipalities. Out of the remaining 4 lakh wells, around 2 lakh belong to economically better off families. They will be requested to recharge wells at their own expense. The rest of the wells, belonging to Below Poverty Line families and government institutions, will be recharged using the project funds. The cost of recharging one well is estimated to be ₹8,000.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will launch the project at a function to be held at the Jimmy George Indoor Stadium on September 28 at 10 a.m. On 22 March, 2018, a ‘Jala Sammelanam’ will be held in the city, in which all the members of the Jala Samithis across the district will participate.
