THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In the wake of the upcoming drought situation and efforts to enhance farming, the government will start separate water conservation programmes in 1499 different wards in civic bodies across Thiruvananthapuram district. As a part of this, already over 62,000 rain water pits have been dug up across the district, said MNREGA Joint Coordinator B Premanand. Conservation efforts will also include well recharging, renovation of ponds and water bodies in urban areas as well as the outskirts of the capital.
Temporary checkdams will be constructed across rivulets to harness the water which will be used for cultivation. The conservation efforts will be launched on December 8 during the launch of the statewide Haritha Keralam misson programme. A special meeting regarding this was held via video conference by minister Kadakampally Surendran. As per the officials, special emphasis during conservation drives would be given to areas with acidic wells.
This includes places like Mangalapuram, Thonnakkal, Murin-gaman, Aazhoor, KK Vanam, Chilambu, Madanvila, Kottaramthu-ruthu, Perumathura, Pothencode, Manalakam, Manikkal and Vellanikkal. Special plans will be devised for panchayats such as Kottukal and Kanjiramkulam and for the hilly terrain of Nedumangaud which have a less conducive situation for natural recharge. “We are looking ahead to address the quality as well as quantity issues related to water. In many cases, quantity itself can enhance water quality,” said a senior official.
