Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (MS)
Kundapur, Aug 28: "Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala Gramabivriddi Project is implementing people-friendly works. So far 208 ponds are developed under the 'Nammuru-Namma Kere' project of the organization. Rs 16.5 crore is spent on this project so far. Though the Dharmasthala organization is providing grants for the development of ponds under the 'Nammuru Namma Kere' scheme, the cooperation of locals is equally important. Locals have to make arrangements for removing the silt from the pond. By this they will also feel proud that the pond belongs to them," said Vasanth Salian, regional director of Karavali regional office of the city.
Salian was speaking after inaugurating and offering Bagina to the Bagalakere pond, which is the 175th pond developed by Shree Kshethra Dharmasthala Gramabivriddi Project with the active participation of gram panchayat Kavradi and Bagalakere development committee, under their scheme Nammuru Namma Kere.
Salian further said, "Cooperation of the public in the development of ponds is the vision of Dr D Veerendra Heggade. When locals participate in such projects and make good use of it, it becomes successful. Earlier, when the north Karnataka region faced drought many ponds were rejuvenated under the pond development project. Now even the state government is giving the contract of removing silt from the ponds to Shree Kshethra Dharmasthala Gramabivriddi project. 'Kere Sanjivini' is a government programme. Already 50 ponds are cleared of silt under this scheme."
Handing over the Bagalakere pond to Kavradi gram panchayat, Ganesh B, district director of Shree Kshethra Dharmasthala Gramabivriddi project said, "Locals should feel that the pond belongs to them. Like the name of the project 'Nammuru Namma Kere', when everyone looks at this project in that sense, the vision of the project is achieved. Due to the rejuvenation of ponds, the groundwater level of bore wells and wells will also raise, which is complementary to agriculture. Let Bagalakere serve the people of this region immensely."
The programme was presided over by Subhashchandra Shetty, advisor of the pond development committee. Sumalatha, administrative officer of gram panchayat, Muralidhar K Shetty, Kundapur taluk project officer of Shree Kshethra Dharmasthala Grama Yojane, Gauri R Sriyan, former president of Kavradi gram panchayat, R Navinchandra Shetty, president, Kundapur taluk Jana Jagruti Vedike, Dinakara Acharya Kandloor, vice president of the pond development committee and service representatives Sujatha G and Sujatha Shetty were present on the occasion.
The programme was compered by Kundapur taluk agriculture officer Chethan Kumar. Zonal supervisor Sujatha Shetty welcomed the gathering. Service representative Premalatha rendered the vote of thanks.