Rajkot: A campaign to conserve rainwater and recharge groundwater was launched in Rajkot. As part of this initiative, over 5,000 water harvesting structures will be created by various associations and organizations.
Rajkot district is plagued by water scarcity and is highly dependent on Narmada water. The district administration devised a plan for water conservation and groundwater recharge under the Union govt's campaign for water conservation through public participation.
According to a statement from the district administration, water harvesting structures will be prepared by various agencies. These include 500 by the district rural development agency, 500 by the district industries centre, 150 by the district planning office, 500 by GIDC industrial estates, 300 by educational institutes, 500 by builder associations and the rest by NGOs, the municipal corporation and the Rajkot Urban Development Authority.
These structures will be designed to harvest rainwater, recharge groundwater and support traditional hand pumps and water bodies.
These initiatives were decided upon after the rain pattern changed in Rajkot over the last few years. The city now receives significant rainfall, but there is no plan to store it. Union water minister C R Paatil visited Rajkot recently and advised the district administration to form a water harvesting plan after a meeting with all stakeholders. The district collector then held meetings with various organizations who expressed readiness to create such structures.