ALLAHABAD: When the well runs dry, we’ll know the worth of water — American polymath Benjamin Franklin had once said.
Villages of
Mandhata block in Pratapgarh district have taken the timeless message seriously as required.
Over 1,000 people including farmers in Uri ka Deeh, Mahraud Dham and their adjoining villages have been digging trenches and making contours in the run-up to
monsoon to channel rainwater towards ponds, pits and natural water resources.
The unique campaign, which envisages
shramdaan
“to conserve water for future generations” has been launched under the banner of Jal Jan Vikas Abhiyan. Social worker Samaj Shekhar, who is leading the drive, held a series of chaupals to convince villagers to understand their responsibility towards
natural resources, especially a lifeline like water.
“More than 400 farmers and their families are making contours and digging trenches to harvest rainwater today. We have decided to fill at least 10 old and dry ponds with water this rainy season to buffer a future crisis,” Shekhar said.
Environment crusader Ajay Krantikari stressed on the need to plant saplings as well. “With help from the state government, we will plant at least 1,000 trees this monsoon. It is the right time to re-establish the bond between ponds and tress,” he said.
Villagers agreed that the contours prevented soil erosion caused by running water and said that once they managed to collect rainwater, recharging groundwater would be an easier task.
“The farmers have come together since they see future advantages of water conservation,” said Guddan Singh, the block head of Mandhata. “Villagers are sowing the seeds of a better tomorrow that their descendants can reap,” Singh added.