The Kozhikode district administration and the district panchayat are planning to implement a host of projects in association with the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM) for the conservation of water resources.
‘Change attitude’
Speaking at the World Water Day commemoration organised by the CWRDM on Wednesday, District Collector U.V. Jose pointed out the need for a change in attitude with respect to water conservation. “The idea is taken lightly by most people. Water conservation and waste management should go hand in hand”, he said. The Collector said that 80% of water used in Kozhikode city and surrounding areas was polluted.
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“The district panchayat has included recharging of 5,000 wells in its 13th five-year plan,” said district panchayat president Babu Parasseri. Recounting his experience as the president of Olavanna grama panchayat that implemented a water supply scheme with community participation, he said authorities should learn to identify water related problems and seek out solutions readily on a daily basis. “There should be a mechanism to ensure that the earth gets most of the rainwater,” he said. Mr. Parasseri appreciated the efforts of the CWRDM in renovating a well on the civil station premises, which was in a state of disuse for many years.
The District Collector administered the Water Day oath.
Later, V.P. Dineshan, head of the Department of Geomatics at the CWRDM, spoke on ‘Climate change and ways to avert draught’ while P.S. Harikumar, head of the Department of Water Quality, spoke on ‘Waste water recycling and reuse’.
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A human chain around Mananchira pond and a painting competition for children were also part of the commemoration programmes.
Other programmes
Meanwhile, World Water Day was commemorated with various programmes across the city.
The District Sarvodaya Mandalam organised a ‘Water conservation collective’ on the banks of Conolly Canal in which noted environmentalists and other activists took part.
Organisation for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA International) launched a project named ‘Muttathoru Vattatha Kinar’ (a well in the courtyard that never dries up), which works on recharging of domestic wells.
The Indian Medical Association (Kozhikode Chapter) also organised a seminar on ‘Changing climate and water resources development’ for the residents’ associations in the district.