Huge response to well recharging lessons in Kerala

Kozhikode: The drought has made local self-governments across the state queue up before ‘Mazhapolima’ for its valuable lessons on well recharging.

The rainwater harvesting mission of Thrissur district has been imparting lessons on regaining traditional wisdom by allowing rainwater to percolate down, recharging water tables.

“We had implemented 27,427 units of Mazhapolima across the state since 2008. Now, the problem is that we are not able to take the orders of all LSGs as there is an acute shortage of skilled plumbers,” says its director Jos C. Raphael.

Besides LSGs, an expert team would visit resident associations and worship sites upon demand and give the lessons.

A team of 10 members could visit Mazhapolima office at Thrissur Collectorate to undergo one-day training.

“Normally Rs 5,000-10,000 is needed for recharging a well. It can be done in various ways. It is not that groundwater recharging is only possible by pumping out the rainwater collected on the rooftop to the well. Taking rain pits, harvesting rainwater under the coconut tree and in the garden by building check bunds and contour trenches also will do,” explains Mr Raphael.

In coastal areas, it helps reduce the salinity, turbidity and colour of water from the wells and provides pure and clean water.

LSG institutions allot funds under MGNREGP, Integrated Watershed Development Programme and NABARD.

Arikkulam grama panchayat president C. Radha told this newspaper that they had set aside funds and are waiting for Mazhapolima personnel to implement it.

The programme was launched in 2008 under the stewardship of then Thrissur collector Dr V.K. Baby.