The government is set to execute a month-long state-wide water conservation campaign, beginning May 1 — the foundation day of the state. Named ‘Sujalam Sufalam Water Conservation Campaign’, it will be launched by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani by participating in desilting of a pond at Kosamdi village in Ankleshwar tehsil of Bharuch district on Monday. Local leaders, as well as MLAs and MPs, are expected to participate in similar works in their respective areas.
“Water is the foundation of development. If there is no water, development will be automatically stalled. Drought in one year halts development for five years. If water is conserved, the water table will rise. Along with water conservation, this scheme also aims at desalination and focuses on the environment too. Thus on a whole, to better the happy living index of Gujarat in the coming years,” said Rupani in Gandhinagar on the eve of the launch on Sunday.
The massive campaign aims at conserving 11,000 lakh cubic feet of rainwater by desilting nearly 13,000 pounds, 200 water reservoirs and 1,500 check dams using 12,000 machines. During the campaign, the government aims to revive 340 km of 32 rivers across 30 districts, cleaning and repairing of 4,500 km of Narmada canal network and implementation of rainwater harvesting in urban areas and forestation along river banks.
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With an estimated cost of Rs 345 crore, the project involves five different departments. A committee headed by Chief Secretary J N Singh has been set up to oversee the campaign. Various committees have also been formed to monitor the progress at the district level.
Several voluntary organizations, education institutes, industries, religious organizations, PSU and non-resident Gujaratis are expected to be part of the campaign. “Since there is a public-private partnership, the works will be open to audit and undertaken with transparency,” the CM said.
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