Rainwater harvesting must for all govt wells, says DC Vidya Kumari

UDUPI

Stressing the urgent need to improve the groundwater table in the district, Deputy Commissioner K Vidya Kumari directed that rainwater harvesting systems be mandatorily installed in all government-owned open wells and borewells. Chairing a meeting on rainwater harvesting at the Deputy Commissioner's office, Rajathadri, recently, the DC pointed out that despite the district receiving heavy rainfall, groundwater levels remain lower than expected. “Most of the rainwater flows westward into the sea without recharging the water table. In coastal areas, excessive rainfall has led to topsoil erosion, leaving behind laterite soil. The water retention capacity has reduced, she said. Implementing rainwater harvesting systems can significantly improve percolation and enhance groundwater levels,” the DC said, urging officials to treat issue with utmost seriousness. She noted that while private individuals and farmers were proactive in adopting rainwater harvesting, government water sources lagged behind. Despite instructions issued last year, very little progress was made. “This year, at least 50 percent of all government wells must be equipped with rainwater harvesting systems,” she said.

The DC also directed that funds from the 15th Finance Commission allocated to gram panchayats, as well as task force grants, be utilised for this purpose. “Priority should be given to drought-prone and water-scarce villages, she added. In areas where borewells yield saline water, harvesting rainwater can help replenish freshwater levels,” she explained. Of the 1,616 government-owned openwells and borewells in the district, only 44 currently have rainwater harvesting systems in place, remaining 1,572 must be covered through coordinated efforts by taluk panchayats and local bodies, she said.

Zilla Panchayat CEO Prateek Bayal, Chief Planning Officer Uday Kumar Shetty, Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation department Executive Engineer Uday Kumar, District Health Officer Basavaraj Hubballi, and other officials were present.