Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS)

Udupi, Jun 14: Last year due to shortage of rains, acute water scarcity was faced in many parts of the district. During that time, rainwater harvesting awareness was created throughout the district.

Due to the efforts of district administration and zilla panchayat, rainwater harvesting equipment has been installed in 213 places before the onset of monsoon this year. Most of these are installed near the open government wells and borewells.

There are 1379 government open wells in the district which has 155 gram panchayats, three town municipalities and two town panchayats. In the current year, 33 wells are installed with the rainwater harvesting equipment. There are 1345 government borewells in the district. Out of these, 92 are fixed with the equipment to facilitate rainwater harvesting.

Many citizens of the district are also getting rainwater harvesting equipment fixed in their own interest. In rural area, this is fixed in 67 houses and buildings. In the city of Udupi, 21 houses have implemented the same. The break-up of equipment installed is 20 in Udupi, 15 in Kundapur, 20 in Karkala, nine in Kaup, six in Byndoor and 27 in Brahmavar.

The deputy commissioner has issued a circular to mandatorily fix rainwater harvesting equipment in all government buildings. Many gram panchayats and government buildings have already installed the same. These are going to give fruitful results in the next two to three years.

DC Dr K Vidyakumari said, “Instructions were given to install rainwater harvesting technology in government wells, borewells and buildings. Many have implemented the same. This will prevent the rainwater from being wasted and helps in improving ground water level. More awareness is required among public in this regard.”