OREANDA-NEWS. May 11, 2012. To address the issue of scarcity of water, Tata Power’s Jojobera team took up a project for rainwater harvesting structure in the nearby Govindpur community.

In the project, various civil structures such as a parapet wall, collection chambers, drainages using hume pipes, etc have been made at various places to divert the rainwater from catchments of more than 2.25 square kilometres area to an old pond that has dried up. Arrangements have been made so that rainwater doesn’t mix with domestic drain water, to keep it pure.

Deepening and de-silting of a pond of 5,525 square meters was also done in this project. By this, approximately 65,000 cubic metres of water will be recharged and around 5,000 people will benefit. The services of Chennai-based KRG Rainwater Foundation were availed for execution of this project.The project was inaugurated by DS Kudalkar, head, Jojobera station, in the presence of zilla parishad members, mukhiyas and ward members. A large number of community members participated and expressed happiness at this initiative of Tata Power.

At the inauguration, Mr Kudalkar, in his address, emphasised on the importance of harvesting rainwater and also said that such projects will be successful only when the community takes on ownership by taking responsibility of maintenance. He said “Tata Power will continue to endeavour to enhance the quality of life of its communities residing around its business operations.”

Govindpur faces acute scarcity of water especially during summer. Over the years, the ground water table has receded in this area, and hand pumps, wells and other water bodies have dried up. The project has been designed to address these issues.

The community’s participation was another heartening aspect of this project. They readily released a huge pond for the job. The participation and involvement was evident as the local youth, and zilla parishad and other PRI members were keenly watching the progress continuously. The panchayat members have also advised the community to launch a sensitisation programme on water conservation so that roof top rainwater harvesting at household level can be taken up.

The community members have readily agreed to preserve the structure as community property.