Curation Team
INDORE: Indore zila panchayat is mulling over providing building permission in colonies developed in rural areas only to those who install water harvesting system in their new constructions in its bid to bolster groundwater levels.
As per the plans, water harvesting will be mandatory for larger buildings, while it will remain voluntary for smaller structures. This initiative aims to improve groundwater levels and avert potential water scarcity in the coming years, senior officials said.
They added that rural areas in Indore district experience highest exploitation of groundwater for agricultural purposes, leading to a continuous decline in water tables. To counter this, the zila panchayat has been undertaking several innovative measures. These include installing water harvesting systems in panchayat buildings, govt offices, and other public structures. Encouraged by the positive outcomes of these efforts, now private constructions would be trageted.
Indore zila panchayat CEO Siddharth Jain said while rainwater harvesting systems are already being installed in govt buildings in rural areas, it will now be made compulsory for granting building permits. He highlighted that integrating water harvesting during construction will not only reduce costs, but also ensure that borewells of property owners are recharged.
The zila panchayat has also embarked on a project to recharge at least 500 old wells across the district. Dugwell recharge pits, measuring three cubic metre, are being constructed three to six feet away from these wells. Through these pits, rainwater flowing from fields will directly replenish the wells. Additionally, ponds and other water bodies are also undergoing renovation to enhance water retention.
