Massive rainwater harvesting project launched at Vidhana Soudha

Massive rainwater harvesting project launched at Vidhana Soudha Rainwater harvesting project launched at Vidhana Soudha

The Hindu

Four lakh litres of water will be stored for use in gardens

# The water will be used in gardens around the Vidhana Soudha
# Rainwater from the roof of the southern part of the majestic building will be collected
# The project will be implemented by the Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology



A GIANT STEP FOR CONSERVATION: Chief Minister H.D Kumaraswamy arriving at the venue of the inauguration of a rainwater harvesting system at the Vidhana Soudha on Monday. — Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash

BANGALORE: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Monday inaugurated the rainwater harvesting system at the Vidhana Soudha. Rainwater from the roof of the southern part of the majestic building will be collected, filtered in stabilisation tanks and stored in sumps to be used in gardens around the Vidhana Soudha.

A sudden spell of rain and delay in the Chief Minister's arrival for the function made for a delayed, though auspicious, start for the project, which can ultimately mean four lakh litres of water in sumps.

Mr. Kumaraswamy said the project, designed and implemented by the Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology could not have come at a more appropriate time, as the water crisis is "our own making". "Hopefully, rainwater harvesting can help reverse the situation. But what we need is awareness among the public about the urgency of conserving every drop of water," he said.

"Although we have failed in effectively postponing the water crisis, I want you to know the Government is not inactive. This is a beginning, and it must be emulated by every one, inside Government and outside."

All departments must take the responsibility of spreading the message, particularly the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, which must proactively promote water conservation, as it is rural areas that are reeling under water crisis, Mr. Kumaraswamy said.

Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Krishna, who is known to be interested in conservation and traditional farming practices, spoke of his visit a few months ago to the house of the principal scientist of the Vidhana Soudha rainwater harvesting project, A.R. Shivakumar. "For the past 10 years, he has been using rainwater harvested in his house, and I think I would like to see every house become like his," Mr. Krishna said.

An example

Tamil Nadu has shown the way by making rainwater harvesting compulsory in residential buildings, and it is time Karnataka follows suit, he said. Mr. Krishna suggested that legislators, panchayat members and councillors should take it upon themselves to create awareness at every forum. All elected representatives should be given information, updates and assistance to make this happen, he said. "This is a serious issue and everyone must become involved in trying to mitigate the coming water crisis", he added.

Science and Technology Minister Ramachandra Gowda quoted from the Gita and said that preventing a small quantity of water from flowing into the sea will not deplete sea levels. "We can only take a small part of water meant for the sea, about 0.0008 per cent, and that is negligible. Rivers will not dry up because we do this. Let us join hands to ensure water for all, and help nature too", he said.

Mr. Krishna released a book, Amrutavarshini, with details of rainwater harvesting.