CHENNAI: Asserting that rainwater harvesting is an ideal solution in meeting the requirement for water, especially when monsoons fail, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami said his government has initiated measures to construct check dams to ensure that not a single drop of rainwater is wasted.
Underscoring the importance of rainwater harvesting, Chief Minister referred to the failure of monsoons, including in the current year, and said rainwater harvesting is important in this situation.
His government has taken up several initiatives to save rainwater from the monsoons.
“Several initiatives including desilting of lakes, constructing check dams among others have been taken up. Every drop of water will be saved because of this,” Mr. Palaniswami said.
These and novel initiative like the Kudymaramathu have helped farmers in receiving required amount of water for agricultural and the people for drinking purposes, he added.
The CM was speaking at the 30th anniversary celebrations of M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, here, on Wednesday.
He said rainwater harvesting stands as an important practice for the State which is dependent on neighbouring States for water.
Mr. Palaniswami lauded the contribution of 93-year-old M. S. Swaminathan to agriculture sector and said he encouraged the research foundation to scale new heights.
“I request the institution to figure out more strategies and take them to the farmers. This would result in increase of agricultural output,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, who released 30-Years’ MSSRF Innovation and Impact report, on the occasion, congratulated Prof M.S. Swaminathan and MSSRF for the agricultural research work that it is doing.
He said a State’s development relies on agriculture.
A three-day conference 'Achieving Sustainable Development Goals and Strengthening Science for Climate Resilience' was also inaugurated on the occasion.
