The depletion of water sources and the consequent scarcity has prompted the district unit of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI-M] to launch a rainwater harvesting project. The aim is to make the district self-sufficient in its water needs.
Party district secretary K.N. Balagopal, MP, told mediapersons here on Tuesday that the project, ‘Mazhakoithu,’ will be launched by party State unit secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan at a function at Koikkal on Friday.
Mazhakoithu would be yet another social responsibility programme of the party, the others being the palliative care programme and the organic farming and garbage-free Kerala projects, he said.
Apart from destroying wetlands, the groundwater sources had been wantonly exploited. Over 70 per cent of the water needs of the people in the district were met through open wells and ponds. Most ponds and wells had dried up in the summer, he said.
Project contours
Under the project, pits for rainwater harvesting had been dug in the houses of 619 party members in the Kilikollur area. By April 24, the project would cover 5,000 houses in the Kilikollur and Mangad areas.
The party would also undertake campaigns to promote the method in households in drought-prone areas.
Kodiyeri to launch project on Friday
Party to take up conservation campaigns
Kodiyeri Balakrishnan to launch rainwater harvesting project for Kollam