Water scarcity: Panchayats permitted to sink borewells

March 01, 2013 12:00 am | Updated 05:03 am IST - Udhagamandalam:

Water scarcity has become a serious source of concern particularly in Ooty, Coonoor and their surroundings, said The Nilgiris Collector Archana Patnaik here on Thursday.

Pointing out that the district administration is resorting to various measures to mitigate the hardship of the people, she said that as part of a contingency plan panchayats have been permitted to sink borewells.

Stating that they would have to adhere to conditions, she said that the borewells should not be sunk within 200 metres of natural water bodies. Individuals who want to sink borewells should apply to the Tahsildars concerned.

However permission would not be given for sinking the wells for commercial purposes.

Since the water level has fallen drastically in many of the local sources here, the Electricity department has been requested not to lower the level at the Parsons Valley Hydel Reservoir near here.

The forest department has been asked to help expedite the implementation of the third water supply scheme from the Parsons Valley Reservoir as in some places the pipes would have to be laid through forest areas.

No permission for sinking wells for commercial purposes

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