With a view to recharging the depleting groundwater table, the Jalanidhi project is planning measures to improve rainwater harvesting in the panchayats in Thrissur district. Though Kerala gets heavy rain for six months in a year, many urban and rural areas face severe water shortage in the summer months. Given this, Jalanidhi is focussing on rainwater harvesting, especially roof water harvesting, in the district. Participating at a meeting organised by Jalanidhi for local body chiefs at Ayyanthole, near here, on Wednesday, to discuss various steps for effective rainwater harvesting, District Collector V.K. Baby said that the project aimed at finding a solution to the drinking water problem faced by the district. The district has about 4.5 lakh wells, but many of them get dried up in summer. Shrinking wetlands is a major cause for this situation. One third of the area of the district was once covered by paddy fields.
Quality of water
Shortage of drinking water is compounded by the poor quality of available water, mainly in low-lying areas and costal belt. The available water bodies could be cleaned and rainwater harvesting pits and small check dams could be built under the NREGP. This would ensure clean water and job opportunities for the people. Planet Kerala, a voluntary agency based in Thiruvananthapuram, has successfully implemented a simple process 'back washing', in more than 600 wells for roof water harvesting. The process can be used in any kind of roofs. Jalanidhi project is planning to take this process to more panchayats in a big way. It would focus on awareness campaigns in grassroots level and also planning to create model panchayats in rainwater harvesting.
The Hindu, 26th June
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