E-Paper
Thirsty villagers for recharging of ponds
Woes of villagers doesn't seem to end. Blistering heat has deepened the water crisis in trans-Yamuna hilly area of the district and turned the situation even more chaotic.
Woes of villagers doesn't seem to end. Blistering heat has deepened the water crisis in trans-Yamuna hilly area of the district and turned the situation even more chaotic.
The inhabitants of the villages lying in the hilly regions of Meja and covered under the second phase of 'Jalyatra' are forced to face the worst situation. Almost 18 villages including Sujani, Salaiya, Soraon, Lal Tara, Nai Gadhi, Sirhir, Tendua, Khurd and Patthara were covered under it. According to keyperson, Dr Suneet Singh, who is the research associate in GB Pant Social Science Institute, Jhunsi, the water being consumed by the villagers is muddy.
"As the villagers are unable to have access to enough water to fulfill their needs, they are demanding installation of hand pumps as the probable solution. But the water table in the areas is already very low and so the hand pumps will fail to provide relief. Recharging the ground water is the only solution," said Dr Singh. The 'Jalyatra' team made a major achievement by making the villagers agree to the need of rejuvenation of ponds. Although each village has several ponds, the attempt is being made to rejuvenate just one water body as an initiative.
"The focus is on the rejuvenation of ponds as this would solve several water-related problems. 'Shramdaan' (voluntary labour) is needed and we are motivating them with the help of the Bihariya and Golahiya models," said Dr Singh.
According to the reports, on an average eight out of ten ponds in the villages have dried up and on the whole three-fourth wells have no water. "Blasting is needed for wells to expand and deepen them so that they start refunctioning.
The villagers are also asking for the construction of check-dams on the canals to conserve rain water," he added.
"The villagers have reported that not even a single visit has been made by any official of block and tehsil level to pay heed to their adverse condition," he said.
This time the school children of the area showed interest and took out a huge rally to create awareness in villagers regarding pond revival.
The team of students from GB Pant institute along with the volunteers of Sankalp organisation, Gram Chetana Foundation, BDC members, elected representatives and members of village panchayats participated in the 'Jalyatra'. In the third and last phase, the villages of Manda and Koraon will be covered.
