Call for reviving rainwater harvesting structures

Collective efforts must to save waterbodies, say experts on World Water Day

Students taking out a rally in Madurai on Wednesday in connection with World Water Day.

Rallies and awareness campaigns marked the World Water Day celebrations in the city with the Collector K. Veera Raghava Rao leading the residents to preserve waterbodies and revive rainwater harvesting structures.

The Confederation of Indian Industry, Yi Madurai chapter, Madurai Corporation along with Rotary Club of Madurai Central, Nativelead Foundation and various other outfits jointly organised World Water Day 2017 awareness campaign on Wednesday .

After inaugurating a RWH structure on Gandhi Museum campus, the Collector flagged off a rally in which over 2,000 students participated. In his address, Mr. Rao said there was an urgent need to implement RWH system in independent houses, residential apartments and commercial undertakings, if rainwater has to be preserved. “Only when there was participation from the community, the project would be a success...” he stressed and appealed to the youngsters to campaign for rainwater harvesting.

Corporation Commissioner Sandeep Nanduri, Deputy Commissioner S. Shanthi also participated in the rally along with the students.

CII Madurai zone chairman P. Srinivasavaradhan said that Madurai city has around 45 water tanks, linked to the Vaigai river. However, many among these tanks faced challenges of encroachment, dumping of waste, and looked for upkeep. The CII would support every initiative to keep these tanks clean and free from encroachment. Vijaya Darshan Jeevagan , Chair, Yi Madurai Chapter welcomed the gathering. Sivarajah, co-founder Native Angel Network, D. Gunasekar, co chair, Yi Madurai Chapter spoke.

Water experts working with NGOs said that the watertable in the city was alarmingly falling at an all-time low due to various factors. The pollution levels and encroachment of waterbodies had to be addressed to save the city from turning into a desert. Despite digging beyond 500-foot depth there was either no water or very little water emerged at many locations in the city according to a recent study, they shared on the occasion.

Vaananbaa, Rainstock, Palakarangal and other NGOs and volunteers participated in the campaign held throughout the day in different parts of the city.