Gandhinagar, Jun 3 : Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has said the state-wide month-long water conservation campaign- Sujalam Sufalam Jal Sanchay Abhiyan- was not aimed at achieving any political goal, but it was taken up for the benefit of people.
Interacting with select Delhi-based mediapersons, Mr Rupani said this Abhiyan has been done for the benefit of future generation, so that they do not face any water problem.
‘The drive was a mass movement, with the aim of ensuring availability of water for future generations,’ he said, adding that in this campaign, both people and the government worked together.
Mr Rupani said the Abhiyan was launched to create additional water storage capacity and it paves the way for judicious use of resources, expecting to harvest as much as 11000 lakh cubic feet of rainwater, which will not only help in irrigation, but also help in raising groundwater tables in 13000 lakes and reservoirs across the state.
The objective of the campaign was enhancing the storage capacity of existing water bodies like reservoirs, check dams, village tanks, forest ponds and farm ponds; de-silting and constructing/repairing of the existing check dams, rejuvenating the rivers, recharging of ground water and enhancing the agricultural productivity.
The state government had implemented the Abhiyan from May 1 to May 31 and it attracted participation from people, NGOs, Industries, religious trusts, educational institutions, public sector undertakings and various line departments of the government of Gujarat.
The Chief Minister said the campaign would continue for three years. While the first year of the Abhiyan has been completed, two more years are likely to turn it into a mass movement.
The campaign was for deepening 13,000 water bodies to create 11,000-lakh cubic feet additional water storage facility, reviving 32 rivers in the state, increasing dairy and farm yield, and increase income of farmers and cattle owners.
The Chief Minister said the people of the state wholeheartedly contributed in the water conservation drive and due to their collective efforts, the state will increase its water storage capacity by 11000 lakh cubic feet.
He said the campaign entailed cleansing the state’s 5,500 km long canal network, including Ahmedabad’s Kharicut Canal.
Pointing out other steps being taken by the state government for the water conservation, Mr Rupani said the government will recycle the drainage water which is being wasted in big cities.
‘After recycling the water, we will reuse it,’ he said adding that this recycled water will be used for construction activities, power plant and Industries.
He said at present some quantity of drinking water of Narmada river which is being given to Industries will be saved and the recycled drainage water will be provided to the Industries for their use.
The Chief Minister said recently, the state government has launched “Reuse of Treated Waste Water” policy. It will promote the use of treated wastewater and see the setting up of sewage treatment plants across the state, with an aim to reduce the state’s dependence on fresh water sources.
He said the maximum use of surface water is being done in the state and 75 per cent coverage has already been done.
UNI.
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