Jal Shakti mission for water conservation kicks off in Karnataka

Drawing up plans for water conservation in Karnataka, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister K S Eshwarappa flagged off the Jal Shakti programme on Monday.

The programme was recently launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on World Water Day.

As part of this, water conservation initiatives including recharge of wells, kalyanis, borewells and construction of check dams will be taken up across the state.

The 100-day programme will be implemented with the MNREGS funds, under which 65% is reserved for natural resources management. The government will make use of its Dishaank app or Google to identify water sources for the lakes and rejuvenate them.

Also read: Make Jal Shakti Abhiyan a success

The programme will also include desilting of lakes, lake bund development and development of canals from lakes that flow into agricultural fields. New lakes will be developed on government lands and in forest areas, an official release said.

The government is also looking at the rejuvenation of kalyanis and nalas at the gram panchayat level. Importance will be given to recharging borewells in gram panchayats for ensuring drinking water.

"Even though rainwater harvesting has been made mandatory, not many are following it. In these 100 days, we will ensure that buildings in gram panchayat limits take up rainwater harvesting," MNREGS commissioner Anirudh Sravan said.

Speaking to DH, Sravan said the entire campaign was being implemented in coordination with gram panchayat members.

"We have an action plan ready in all gram panchayats for groundwater recharge. Gram panchayat members have been involved in mapping kalyanis and other water sources that need rejuvenation in their vicinity," he said.

District incharge ministers, MLAs and DCs will be in charge of monitoring the implementation of the programme.