Eight villages were identified to implement Water Village, a sustainable water management and development programme, by the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.
The recommended villages for this scheme were Kuvanuthu, Konur, Silvarpatti Chettinaickanepatti, Pachamalaiyankottai, Old Batlagundu, Pethanaickenpatti and Puliampatti in the district. The Ministry will choose one village on the basis of its acuteness and implement the scheme as a pilot project. Based on its success, this model will be replicated in other villages.
This action plan was highlighted at the water management seminar held as part of ‘India Water Week 2015’ celebrations here on Tuesday.
Addressing the gathering, Scientist Kumaresan said at least one village in each district will be developed under this programme. All existing water resources in the chosen village will be rehabilitated by employing latest technologies as well as traditional techniques followed by villagers in protecting waterbodies. New structures will be developed to ensure adequate protection to existing waterbodies. All water resource agencies at the village will be brought under one roof for effective water management. It will also encourage social order for water utilisation keeping in mind the irrigation needs of the village. Recommendations of the seminar will be utilised to prepare an overview of the State-level situation and it could be used for policy making, he said.
Creation of rainwater structures in all buildings should be made mandatory and collection of data on number of bore wells and present water level were necessary to recharge ground water table and also chalk out plans to improve the water table in future. Site specific designs could be made to improve the existing RWHS, if necessary.
Involvement of the community for collective monitoring of ground water and participatory management will play a key role for sustainable management of ground water resources, he added.
Depletion of ground water had already reached an alarming stage in many blocks. Recharge of existing structures will enhance their efficacy, speakers pointed out.
