THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: An ambitious project to rejuvenate the water bodies in the capital has been launched by the district panchayat. Titled Jalasree, the project aims to clean water bodies, recharge wells and dig 1,500 new ponds within three years.
District Panchayat president V K Madhu said the project gains immense significance considering the depleting water level in many parts of the district. “It is time to execute short-term and long-term plans to conserve our water bodies,” he said.
The panchayat has found that an alarming number of waterbodies in the district are polluted. Efforts will be taken to conserve them and create awareness among the people. Conservation works will be executed by the volunteers of the Jalasabha in every local body ward. “Being a massive project, Jalasree requires people’s participation. Formation of Jalasabha was the first step towards this,” he said.
Each Jalasabha comprises 50 volunteers comprising people from different walks of life. Local body representatives and students will also be part of the group. They will be given training in scientific water conservation activities. Works will be executed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.
The panchayat aims to dig 1,500 new ponds in the district for rainwater harvesting. Madhu said preference will be given to areas which face water shortage during summer. Well-recharging is another important component of Jalasree. “Capital district has an estimated six lakh wells. Of this, four lakh come in the panchayat limits,” he said.
District panchayat will execute recharging works for the wells of economically backward people free of cost. About two lakh wells will be recharged. The remaining will be recharged at owners’ cost. About Rs 8,000 is required for recharging a well.
Economically backward households can approach the local panchayat office or the MNREGS mission office to avail of the scheme.
“In case of non-subsidised well-recharging, the panchayat will provide the labour and technical advice. We plan to launch a house visit campaign by the volunteers to rope in public support,” Madhu said.
Friday’s panchayat meeting also decided to conduct recharging works for government school wells free of cost. Over 1,000 schools will benefit by this.