Construction of all rainwater harvesting structures should be completed by September-end, said Collector K. Nagarajan.
Presiding over a special meeting convened in this connection at the Collectorate here on Frida, he said that check dams, percolation ponds, tanks, lakes, rural tanks, supply channels and rivers under the control of Departments of Public Works, Rural Development, Forests, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment, Agriculture and Agro Engineering should be revived or rehabilitated before the onset of rainy season so as to facilitate harvesting of the entire rainwater.
The State government was very particular about creation and protection of groundwater structures. Each and every department should give top priority to these works. All ongoing rainwater harvesting structure works should be expedited.
Besides, efforts should also be taken to remove encroachments in the water bodies. Desilting would improve storage capacity and water table in the nearby areas. Such measures would also help farmers in rain-fed areas.
Rainwater harvesting would not only recharge groundwater but also enrich soil and recharge dry wells and lakes, he added.
Project Officer K. Arunmani, District Forest Officer N. Thangaraj and other district level officers in all departments took part in the meeting.
