THANJAVUR: People’s participation should be ensured to make Jal Shakthi Abhiyan-Central government’s water conservation campaign a success, said Pramod Kumar Pathak, additional secretary, Union Ministry of Ayush, here on Saturday. He is heading a ten-member Central team to run the campaign in Thanjavur district.
Speaking at a meeting of officials at the collectorate to discuss the campaign, Pathak said that block and district conservation plans should be prepared by officials and they should be implemented with the participation of people.
He said that ‘Jal Shakthi Abhiyan’ focuses on five aspects-water conservation and rain water harvesting, renovation of traditional and other water bodies, reuse of water and recharging of structures, watershed development and intensive afforestation. It lays emphasis on developing block and district level plans and oragnising Krishi Vigyan Kendra melas to promote efficient water use for irrigation and better crop choices.
The campaign will be run in 256 districts facing water shortage, covering 1592 water stress blocks in these districts during monsoon season, Pathak said.
A. Annadurai, Thanjavur district collector briefed the team about Kudimaramathu works being undertaken in the district as a water conservation and water resource development measure.
Janaki Raveendran, municipal corporation commissioner, Thanjavur, said that three ponds have been cleaned in the town with a view to harvest rain. Agriculture department officials explained about the minor irrigation projects, drip irrigation projects, cropping pattern and also direct sowing as a means of water saving.
The team will be here till July 17 and block level assessment about water bodies, aquifer, conservation works undertaken.
P. Mantrachalam, project director, DRDA, Thanjavur and other officials from corporation, municipalities, town panchayats, panchayats, PWD, Forest, TWAD, Agriculture and Horticulture departments participated in the meeting.
