Bengaluru: Minor Irrigation Minister N. S. Bose Raju said on August 5 that the state Government will look into using the services of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and volunteers to protect lakes, ponds, and water resources.
Bose Raju held extensive consultations with Dr. Lingaraju Yale, Director of the Art of Living River Rejuvenation organisation, and with his team of scientists regarding the rejuvenation and protection of lakes, tanks, and water bodies across the states.
Representatives of Art of Living River Rejuvenation presented a report on e orts being made around the world to protect and rejuvenate water bodies using nature-based sustainable solutions. The Art of Living River Rejuvenation authorities explained that it is possible to rejuvenate water bodies in an organic manner.
“We have taken up such works at Kumudavathi and Suvarnamukhi Rivers,” the Art of Living authorities added.
Thought-process is on to utilise the services of volunteers and NGOs to safeguard tanks, lakes, and large water bodies, Bose Raju said and added that in order to prevent encroachment on tanks and lakes, apart from water bodies, it is proposed to involve volunteers and NGOs in this task.
“These volunteers and NGOs will keep an eye on tanks, lakes, and water bodies and report to the authorities if they want anything inadequate. We are discussing at the top level the implementation of this idea, the minor irrigation Minister explained.
The Minister also said that the Art of Living River Rejuvenation organisation will be commissioned to conduct a study and assess the condition of ground water and existing water sources (tanks, lakes, and water bodies) in the villages of Attanur, Kallur, Heera, and Chincharaki Gram Panchayat.
The Government is considering a proposal to set up Water Knowledge Centrea at the Gram Panchayat level.
“We also propose to set up water knowledge centres at the Gram Panchayat level. These water knowledge centers will provide information on the availability of water in various tanks, lakes, and water bodies in the respective GPs,” Bose Raju explained.