WaterTalk 6: By Vikranth Raja IAS
‘Public participation for water security’
Mr Vikranth Raja, Secretary to the Chief Minister of Puducherry delivered WaterTalk 6 on November 6, 2020. The talk was themed on ‘Public participation for water security’. Mr Raja stressed on the Nam Neer (Our Water) project he launched at Karaikal district, Puducherry when he was serving as the district collector.
The project that started as a water conservation effort, became a mass awareness campaign. Th project brought in community intervention and coordination of various stakeholders including public of Karaikal, educational, financial, religious institutions, civil societies, corporates and government officials.
Outcome:
Revived 178 traditional water bodies, 81 kilometres of major canals, 640 km of minor channels
Underground water Level increased by 10 ft to 15 ft in Karaikal
Area under cultivation increased
Barren land brought back to cultivation after 15 years
Revive ponds were allotted to Women Self Help Group for Aquaculture
The talk was followed by a panel discussion. Prof T Pradeep, Ram Shankar, Founder Swaran and E Nandakumar took part in the panel discussion.
