E-Paper
Silica washing plants a threat to ponds
Washing plants installed by Silica mining plants in drought-prone areas of Shankergarh are a serious threat as they are misusing most of the water available without taking any care of the drinking water crisis, said Dr Suneet Singh, convener of 'Jalyatra' and research associate at GB Pant Social Science Institute, Jhunsi while addressing media persons here on Wednesday.
Washing plants installed by Silica mining plants in drought-prone areas of Shankergarh are a serious threat as they are misusing most of the water available without taking any care of the drinking water crisis, said Dr Suneet Singh, convener of 'Jalyatra' and research associate at GB Pant Social Science Institute, Jhunsi while addressing media persons here on Wednesday.
He said the silica washing plants consume large quantity of water which they mostly draw from ponds thereby aggravating the water crisis further in the region. A 100-Bigha pond near Garhwa fort has already dried up and it has become a dumping ground for silica sand.
He said that although each village covered under 'Jalyatra' possesses several ponds but most of them have dried up and few of them have also been forcibly occupied by the influential people of the village. "However, the initiative undertaken by the participants in the yatra has motivated several such people to free the ponds from their illegal custody," said Dr Singh.
"The villagers have agreed upon the scheme of pond rejuvenation which will be developed under three phases. In the first phase they will select the ponds of their villages where they will do 'shramdaan'. For the purpose, almost one thousand people have signed the document to express their willingness. In the next phase, those agreeing for shramdaan will be rewarded.
They will receive the money released by the government and other organisations for their work. Here we are using the word reward since this will inculcate the sense of belongingness among the villagers and they will take care of their ponds. Besides, the pond will solve multiple purpose of recharging of ground water which in turn will raise the water level in wells and hand pumps.
Soil will get moisture to facilitate farming in the area," added Dr Singh.
"In the third phase, the water committees will be formed which will make rules for the usage of pond water. It is high time that the actual steps should be taken otherwise we will fail to harvest rainwater for which the ponds are being rejuvenated.
The fund should be released from Gramin Rozgar Yojana, Sukha Rahat Kosh, Hariyali and other projects. NGOs should also come forward to contribute towards the blasting of wells," he said.
"We are supported by more than 400 self-help groups and also NGOs like Mahila Samakhya, Sankalp, Sanchetana, Gram Chetana Foundation besides the representatives from Art of Living, media, teachers from AU, advocates, Eastern UP Chamber Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Allahabad Management Association, National Science Academy and other institutions," he informed.
A meeting has been organised at GB Pant on May 7 in which the future steps to be undertaken will be discussed with the villagers and also the organisations associated with the Jalyatra will participate in the meeting.
