Community partnership key to achieving Source Sustainability for Drinking Water: DC Srinagar
SRINAGAR: In order to review and discuss the Action Plan for implementation and promotion of the “Catch the Rain, Save the Water” initiative for its conservation under Jal Shakti Abhiyan, a meeting was today held under the Chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad here at Meeting Hall of the DC office Complex.
The meeting was attended by Programme Officer, ICDS, Superintending Engineer Hydraulic, Chief Planning Officer, Superintending Engineer Mechanical PHE, Assistant Commissioner Development, DFO Urban/Dachigam, District Social Welfare Officer, Chief Agriculture Officer, Chief Education Officer, District Soil & Conservation Officer, Executive Engineer REW, representatives from Department of Ecology Environment and Remote Sensing, besides other concerned.
At the outset, the Deputy Commissioner held discussions regarding the implementation of “Catch the Rain, Save the Water” initiative by the line Departments under Jal Shakti Abhiyan with the central theme “Source Sustainability for Drinking Water” for year 2023.
On the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner stressed on making extra efforts for efficient management of water conservation and rain water harvesting, besides fully tapping ground water sources and springs across the District.
The DC asked the Officers of all line Departments to formulate a holistic plan by May 03, 2023 covering both rural and urban areas with the focus on the central theme of source sustainability. He also asked the concerned to rejuvenate all water bodies in the District under the ongoing Amrit Sarovar project and make dedicated efforts to conserve and preserve water to cater the requirements for the present and future generations.
The DC also asked the Officers to inspect water sources like springs and tube wells which are a source to various drinking water schemes and find the requisite interventions to be taken for their sustainability maintenance and preservation. He also stressed on installation of rooftop rainwater harvesting systems Institutions and other establishments in perseverance of the drinking water.
With regard to generating awareness among masses, the DC stressed the Officers to launch a mass IEC activity campaign regarding “Catch the Rain, Save the Water” initiative to create awareness among the general public with visible impact on ground. He laid emphasis on community participation for the successful implementation of the initiative in the District.
The DC also asked the line Departments to work in close coordination and make dedicated efforts to conserve and preserve water resources. He asked them to motivate the general public to adopt roof water harvesting measures and replicate the same for water conservation.
In order to ensure efficient implementation of the initiative, the DC also asked the officers to lay thrust on Key Performance Indicators under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan with strict adherence to SOPs and timelines set for various activities.
During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner also took stock of the functioning of the Jal Shakti Kendra in the District and directed the concerned to work with dedicated efforts to ensure better functioning of the Kendra.
Pertinent to mention that, the Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Catch the rain 2023 was launched by the Government of India on March 04, 2023 in all the Districts of the Country, covering both rural and urban area with the central theme “Source Sustainability for Drinking Water” to bring the necessary focus on sustainability of drinking water supply, specially ground water sources and springs.