District Administration South Andaman Initiates Campaign to Promote Rain Water Harvesting

Port Blair, Oct. 6: The District Administration under the campaign “Catch The Rain” with the tagline “Catch the rain, where it falls, when it falls” has conducted a workshop on Rain Water Harvesting Structures (RWHS) in the presence of Shri Lakshay Singhal, AC (U/T) along with Pradhans, District Officials and Civil Society organisation members at Mithakhari. The objective of the workshop was to tope in key stake-holders to create cost effective RWHS suitable to the local climatic conditions and sub-sil strata before the onset of monsoon.

The efforts of an Anganwadi Worker became the central focus of the workshop. The Anganwadi worker named Nazreen Sultana was also invited, who had installed the RWHS before the construction of her house. She used that water for construction of her house, regular household works and is now providing water even to her neighbours. With this effort, the model put forward by the Anganwadi worker has become a big motivation for the residents of Mithakhari.

On behalf of the District Administration, AC (U/T) appreciated Smti Nazreen Sultana and appealed to the public to follow this effective model.

The AC (U/T) further informed that efforts are being made so that all buildings in the district should have rooftops RWHS and the maximum quantity of rain water falling in any compound should be impounded within the compound itself. The basic objective is to make sure that No or only limited water should flow out of the compound. This will help in improving soil moisture and raising ground water table.

The campaign targets to deliver check dams, water harvesting pits, rooftop RWHS etc. and de-silting of tanks/ ponds to increase their storage capacity, removal of obstructions in the channels which bring water from the catchment areas, repairs to step-wells and using defunct bore-wells and unused wells to put water back to aquifers etc. are to be taken up with the active participation of public at large.

The speakers on this occasion motivated the residents regarding the importance of cost efficient RWHS and the same is the top priority of the Administration, which is expected to augment the water conservation/ preservation measures.

It was further informed that in case of any technical assistance required to set up cost effective RWHS at their homes/ establishments, the District Administration is ready to provide all kind of support. For any assistance in this regard, people may contact the District Control Room at 1070.