Water conservation mission in Rajasthan kicks off

KOTA: Aiming to resolve the water crisis in Rajasthan, the ' Mukhyamantri Jal Swavalamban Abhiyan' launched recently by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has now garnered support from activists and various sections of society.

Launched on January 27 from Raje's legislative constituency of Jhalawar for a duration of 4 years, the water conservation mission will cover 3,000 villages for the initial phase and a total of 21,000 villages would be made self reliant in water supplies towards its completion.

"Mission is set to make around 21,000 villages of the state water self reliant by the time of its completion 106 types of works aimed at conserving and harvesting water would be carried out under the Mission," Bundi District Collector, Neha Giri said.

She said any gaps in funding amount would be filled up by contributions from public, corporate and from anybody who wants to contribute for water conservation.

The state government's scheme has garnered support from people and various organisations.

" Jal swavalamban mission is apt to make the region and the state drought free," Social activist Rajesh Tapti said.

Representatives from the coaching industry have also come forward to join hands with the government for the water conservation project.

"Water conservation and declining level of ground water are a matter of great concerns and Jal Swavalamban Mission would help people not only understand the significance of water but also conserve and harvest the same for themselves," Director of Allen Career Institute, Naveen Meshawari said.

Meshawari also said that his institute will donate Rs 50 lakh for the campaign.

"The ACI has made the commitment to chief minister Vasundhara Raje for the contribution in the public meeting at Pedawa village during the launch," he said.

Besides the general public, state government has sought support of different sections of society including officials, public representatives, social and religious organisations and corporate houses to make the campaign a success.

Raje had also called upon various organisations to adopt villages or water bodies in urban areas for this project.