Ernakulam to have 334 new ponds

Even as its mission to rejuvenate 100 abandoned waterbodies and ponds in the district nears completion, the district administration has come up with another project, Jalasamridhi, to dig 123 ponds.

The project will be undertaken in association with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and the Haritha Kerala Mission. District Collector K. Mohammed Y. Safirulla will inaugurate the project at Ward 13 of Kunnukara panchayat on Sunday at 10.30 a.m.

During the 2018-19 financial year, 334 new ponds will be dug across 12 blocks in the district under MGNREGP. Out of these, 123 will be completed before May 31.

K.G. Thilakan, project director of Poverty Alleviation Unit and programme coordinator, said the project would be completed before the onset of the monsoon. The ponds, which will serve as water storage facilities, will also raise the groundwater level in the area. Besides, the project aims at improving the livelihood of families by developing the agriculture sector.

More job days likely

The project is expected to create more job days under MGNREGS during the otherwise lean months of April and May. The government’s direction to create 200 job days for Scheduled Tribes will be met through the project. Under MGNREGS, 60% of funds could be spent on wages and 40% on equipment.

Funds for geotextiles to protect ponds could also be met through 40% allocation for equipment.