Coimbatore: The Kongu Global Forum (KGF) has forged a partnership with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) to mitigate difficulties being faced in water related areas by implementing integrated water harvesting concepts.
The KGF comprises various industrial associations from the western districts. It convened a meeting with its directors and Nabard officials here on Saturday.
Speaking on issues discussed at the meeting, convener of KGF, Ms. Vanitha Mohan said, "Tamil Nadu is one of the most water stressed states in the country. With 95 per cent utilization of surplus water and 85 per cent ground water exploitation, more than 139 blocks out of 386, are categorized as over-exploited. It impacts severely across the state including in the Kongu region, which has been facing severe drought and acute drinking water shortage year after year. Deforestation, poor land use practices, encroachment of water bodies, over pumping of groundwater and over obstruction of surface water are some of the major issues facing the Kongu region."
The industry leader noted that non-availability of water for irrigation and drinking, is an urgent issue, which has to be addressed on a war footing.
According to her, the directors of KGF have come up with a comprehensive plan covering all seven districts in the region and have approached Nabard for guidance and support.
Elaborating on their initiative she said, "it is ironical that although the region has received unprecedented rains during summer, not even ten per cent of the water has been harvested. Gap in areas of water harvesting and conservation has flushed the precious rain water down the drain. In order to bridge the gap and also to bring about a holistic system of water harvesting through watershed concepts, KGF intends to forge a partnership with Nabard to mitigate difficulties being faced in water related areas."
Following a discussion between directors of KGF, K Nallusamy, Sudhakar Palanisamy and D Nandakumar with R Amalorpavanathan, deputy managing director, Nabard, they decided to work aggressively through watershed programmes in all seven districts of Coimbatore, Tirupur, Karur, Nilgiris, Salem, Erode and Namakkal.
The forum plans a stakeholders' consultation meeting to evolve a broad strategy, organise a workshop to kickstart the programme, identify suitable agencies in all these seven districts to plan and execute projects in coordination with Nabard.
They also proposed a comprehensive plan comprising of afforestation, watershed management, spring spots rejuvenation and sewage treatment.
