Order:Don't
bathe to save water
Yes, this is true. A decree has been passed by the three gram
panchayats of Mellachervu block, Nalgonda, Andhra Pradesh, ordering people to take bath
only once in four days and wash their clothes once in ten days. Any default will invite a
penality of Rs 500. As per a report the farmers of this region have spend more than Rs 2
crore this year, to deepen their tubewells and still can not find water even at 300 feet.
Ravaged by drought this year, even the traditional practice of sprinkling water mixed with
cow dung in the front yard has been strictly prohibited.
Ironically, most of the state departments take such thoughtless measures to
‘conserve’ water once monsoon departs. Further, no concrete steps are taken to
work for the better future. As a result, the vicious cycle of desperation, drought and
death is gaining strengthening every year.
Shamjibhai Antala honored
The eleventh Rotary India Award, 2002 was presented to Shamji
Jadhavbhai Antala for his exceptional contribution in the field of water conservation.
Rotary Governor, PSRama Mohan Rao, gave away the award on December 7 in a function held at
Chennai.
Born on December 19, 1937, Shamjibhai started his career as a daily news reporter. The
miseries of the four year drought (1984 - 88) in Saurashtra region instigated him to
promote well recharge. In 1993, he founded the Saurashtra Lok Manch. It has consistently
worked to sensitise locals - reviving more than three lakh wells, till date.
Tax rebate for RWH mooted
The Central Ground Water Authority announced its plans to
extend property tax rebates to the people taking up rainwater harvesting. However, this
sound idea is yet to be chalked out.
Hyderabad, demand your water
The people of Hyderabad has the legal right to readdress their
water woes. And, if the problem is not solved within a specified time frame (varying from
10 - 30 days as per the nature of the complaint) the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply
and Sewerage Board is liable to pay compensation. Except for the state, no one knows about
this citizen charter introduced in 2000. So, there are no complains, no readdresals - just
problems.
Harvesting rain
"Happy to receive the newsletter. I am proud to inform you that I have installed rain
water harvesting in my home. And, this year my well is brimming with water. The government
should make it mandatory or offering small discount in house tax which will promote its
use."
A N Madhavan
anmaadhavan@yahoo.com
About Catch Water
"Thanks for sending us catch water. The Water Technology Centre has done extensive
work on water harvesting. And, we will be happy to share it."
K Palanisami
wtctnau@md3.vsnl.net.in
"As far as water management is concerned are we
left with any choices. We have to go for Rain Water Harvesting either today or tomorrow.
Sooner we do the better it is. Being a post graduate student of geography, Delhi
University, I enjoy reading Catch Water.
Shikha Khosla
shikha_jb@rediffmail.com
"Vivekanand Seva Mandal (NGO), Dombivli, Maharashtra,
has started working in a water scarce village, VIHIGAON in Shahapur block, Thane. We have
just entered this field. Catch Water is very helpful for us. Kindly send us
regularly."
Shailesh Nipunge
snnipunge@rediffmail.com
"I am receiving your electronic news letter regularly.
It is useful and informative. But I would like to receive the hard copy as well."
Sudhir Nimbalkar
udhir_nimbalkar@indiatimes.com
"Catch Water is an excellent idea. Coca-Cola
India is working closely with different state agencies on water conservation projects. We
would like to share this information with you."
Nantoo Banerjee
nbanerjee@apac.ko.com
"I am a practicing Hydrogeologist. And, would like to
write for Catch Water."
A K Bhatnagar
wec@icenet.net
"I am a research fellow working on rainwater
project at Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. Catch Water can work as a medium to
share our findings with people particularly in eastern India."
Deepesh Machiwal
dmachiwal@rediffmail.com
Keep
writing. Your response encourage us. |
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