Niraj Ahiwar
The government of West Bengal had launched the Jal Dharo, Jal Bharo(JDJB) scheme in 2011 to preserve the precious resources from ground┬аand surface water in the state. The state governments,┬аWater Resources Investigation & Development Department is working on the implementation of the scheme. The scheme┬аis implemented in two parts a)┬аlarge-scale┬аharvesting of rainwater┬аby stopping surface rainwater b) construction and management of Minor Irrigation Structures.
The objective of the┬аJal Dharo Jal Bharo (JDJB) Scheme is to conserve the water with the help of┬аwater bodies┬аsuch as┬аtank, ponds, water reservoirs, canals etc.┬аand┬аthrough artificial recharging of underground water via rooftop rainwater harvesting.┬аThe JDJB initiative is also expected to create employment as it involves construction of water bodies. The Water Resources Investigation & Development Department is also constructing water detention structures, re-excavating┬аtanks and other water bodies to store more water during the rainy season.┬аFor stopping the surface run-off water check dams, water harvesting tanks, surface flow minor irrigation schemes etc are being constructed which will act as┬аsupplementary irrigation. These water bodies are┬аcreating additional income for rural people apart from using these water bodies in agriculture, pisciculture┬аand animal husbandry.┬а3,370 water bodies will be constructed during the 2018-19 financial┬аyear.
What is┬аJal Dharo, Jal Bharo(JDJB)?┬аA West Bengal government initiative for water conservation.
Jal Dharo, Jal Bharo(JDJB): Objectives
- To create awareness about water conservation
- To harvest rainwater in all kinds of water bodies
- To increase water levels with the help of rain water harvesting
- To conserve and stored┬а rainwater and surface run-off water in the tanks
Jal Dharo, Jal Bharo(JDJB): Benefits
- Increase in┬аunderground water level
- Availability of drinking water in remote and rural areas
- More water for irrigation purposes
- The availability of water during summer
Jal Dharo, Jal Bharo(JDJB): Implementation & Highlights
- This scheme was launched in 2011 by WB CM Mamata Banerjee
- The┬аWater Resources Investigation & Development Department, GoWB implemented this scheme
- Under this┬а scheme, the rainwater is harvested in all kinds of water bodies i.e tank, ponds, water reservoirs
- Government is creating awareness about rooftop rainwater harvesting
- The┬аWater Resources Investigation & Development Department is┬аworking with┬аPanchayats and Rural Development (P&RD) Department for excavation┬аand re-excavation of tanks┬аand other water bodies under MGNREGA
- The state government also conducts a mass awareness programme regularly regarding the importance of conserving water
- The availability of water throughout the year will help the villagers for their domestic, farming activities and animals
More details & References
