Springshed devpt scheme launched at Pullampara

Thiruvananthapuram: The Pullampara panchayat has launched a springshed development scheme for the first time in the district. District collector Jeromic George released the project report of ‘Sajalam’, implemented by the panchayat.
Pullampara panchayat president Rajesh P V said ‘Sajalam’ is the next chapter of ‘Neeruravu’ project started in 2021 with an aim to conserve nature, soil and water under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Scheme (MGNREGA).
“Streams have to be conserved from their beginning stages for obtaining maximum benefits. The Springshed development project will help in resolving water scarcity issues, will ensure access to safe and clean water and will also make the land more fertile as water will naturally penetrate the inner layers of the soil,” says Rajesh.
Waste management, well recharging and taking up livelihood projects like building cowsheds and birdcages for those in dairy and poultry farming are other initiatives under ‘Neeruravu’. Funded under the MGNREGA, the project is being carried out by workers who are part of the scheme.
“We had also trained around 45 people to be semi-skilled labourers like masons and carpenters for our various initiatives under ‘Neeruravu’. This will help them in getting a higher wage for the demand of the work they do than a normal employee working under MGNREGA,” adds Rajesh.
While MGNREGA takes care of the execution, Navakerala Mission is responsible for the planning of this initiative.
“Haritha Keralam is one of our four core objectives. Coordination is what most panchayat projects lack even if they have the funds. We coordinate with departments and local bodies to carry out developmental projects in an organized manner,” district officer of said Navakerala Mission Ashok C.
“We have plans to expand the springshed development project across the state in phases,” added Ashok.