A Unique Partnership to Boost Water Network

18 Mar 2015

Nagpur: Degma village's population of over 1,200 on the picturesque ridge off Mohgaon Zilpi in Hingna taluka, barely 20 kms from this city, may not have to migrate lock, stock and barrel this summer. That has been its annual ordeal for years. With water sources drying up as summer simmers, villagers were forced to shift downstream to nearby villages looking for livelihood and fodder for cattle.

Along with Degma, Junewani, Mandavghorad, Nanda, Kinhi, Dhanoli, Hingna, Mangli, Ambazari and a dozen more villages shall hugely benefit from a water conservation project initiated by the Art of Living organization. "It was not planned at this scale. But as if by a divine conspiracy, all government agencies and public have come together willingly in a unique public partnership that is aimed at rejuvenating the Vena river through drainage network treatment of around 25km length of nullahs. The project is expected to dramatically enhance groundwater table in around 16 sq km (or 4,000 acres) in the first phase. The project is aptly named: 'Majhi Vena Majhi Ganga'.

The project launched on February 11 has shown a remarkable speed in execution in the first week itself. "The pace as well as quality of work is unbelievable," said chief executive officer of Nagpur Zilla Parishad Shivaji Jondhale. He along with district agriculture superintendent Archana Kadu was pleasantly surprised on Tuesday when they toured the site for inspection with their official teams. Tahsildar Raju Ranvir, block development officer T Junware were also present. An elated Jondhale admitted candidly that work for which they would required to spend Rs 5 lakh was done in Rs 50,000. He immediately offered to provide one more excavator and allowing the machine staff to work in double shifts at the government expense. Kadu's department has agreed to chip in with expenses for fuel for six excavators that are working at the different sites.

Courtesy: The Times of India