A month-long water conservation campaign launched by the Gujarat Government on the State’s 59th Foundation Day on May 1, 2018 is poised to be India’s biggest ever rainwater conservation campaign which would enhanced water conservation capacity of Gujarat by 11,000 lakh cubic feet, claimed Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Tuesday.
Addressing a gathering at ancient Somnath Temple after initiating de-silting work of River Hiran near the historic Somnath Temple, Rupani said that magnitude of the campaign could be judged by the fact that during just 31 days of current month under Sujalam Sufalam Jalsanchay Abhiyan-2018 (SSJA) 11,000 cubic feet of earth would be scooped out from 13,000 village ponds during this month with the help of 6,000 JCB machine and 12,000 tractor-trolleys as part of this campaign.
The Chief Minister advocated judicious use of water even after the success of the campaign and appealed farmers of the state to adopt drip irrigation systems in their farms and also take advantage of State Government schemes of farm-ponds to contribute in rainwater harvesting. CM Rupani also announced to set up Rs 800 crore desalination and gutter water recycling plant on western coast of the state which would mitigate water related problems in the Saurashtra region, especially Somnath area.
As part of the de-silting work of riverbed of Hiran near Triveni Sangam known as Triveni Ghat among Hindu pilgrims visiting historic Somnath Temple, which one of the 12 Jyotirlings, 1.50 lakh cubic feet earth will be dug out. Over all 218 works related to water conservation would be carried out in Gir Somnath district during the month.
Meanwhile CM Rupani also made it a point to offer prayer at Somnath temple where he prayed for good monsoon across the nation.