PM Modi Praises Korba's Water Conservation Model in 'Mann Ki Baat'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the innovative water conservation efforts of Korba Municipal Corporation during his 'Mann Ki Baat' radio program. The 136th episode highlighted Korba's 'Catch the Rain' campaign as an effective initiative for water conservation and augmentation, bringing national recognition to the district's endeavors. This achievement is a matter of pride for the Korba Municipal Corporation, the district administration, and its residents.
Under the guidance of Collector Shri Kunal Dudawat and the leadership of Municipal Commissioner Shri Ashutosh Pandey, the corporation has undertaken numerous innovative and sustainable initiatives to transform water conservation into a mass movement. The effective implementation of the 'Catch the Rain' campaign has involved significant work in the city to maximize rainwater harvesting and improve groundwater levels.
As part of the SAM-2.0 scheme, ten recharge wells have been constructed at various locations in the city. These wells, built using the inject well method in consultation with technical experts from the National Remote Sensing Centre (ISRO), channel rainwater from roads and drains directly into the ground during heavy rainfall. This prevents water wastage and continuously improves groundwater levels.
The Municipal Corporation has engaged the public in rainwater harvesting by installing 1,728 rainwater harvesting pits – 757 in government buildings and 971 in private buildings. Furthermore, rainwater harvesting has been made a mandatory provision in every building construction permit issued by the Building Permission Department.
Additionally, the provision for rainwater harvesting pits has been made mandatory in the construction of community halls, additional rooms in schools, Anganwadi buildings, Mangal Bhavans, and other public utility buildings. Work orders for 109 such construction projects, ensuring rainwater harvesting arrangements, have already been issued.
To further enhance groundwater conservation, a plan has been developed to re-drill and convert 95 identified unused, damaged, and defunct borewells across the municipal area into recharge structures. This will allow for the utilization of unused resources for water conservation.
Alongside water conservation, a comprehensive campaign is also underway to promote environmental protection and increase green cover in the district. The Forest Department is undertaking large-scale afforestation in the Korba and Katghora forest divisions, also promoting water conservation through water harvesting pits. The Korba Forest Division aims to plant 250,000 saplings this year.
As per the directives of Collector Shri Kunal Dudawat, a intensive plantation drive, including 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' (One Tree in Mother's Name), is being conducted across the district until September 15. In line with this, the Municipal Corporation organized 'Run for Green Korba' on July 18, involving public representatives and citizens in tree plantation and spreading the message of environmental conservation. The 'Bibi-Ram-Ji' campaign is also distributing saplings to encourage tree plantation in the premises of all government offices.
The mention of Korba's water conservation model by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 'Mann Ki Baat' is a testament to how local initiatives, driven by foresight, innovation, and public participation, can become a source of inspiration at the national level. Korba Municipal Corporation's model is now emerging as an exemplary precedent for other urban local bodies in the country in the field of water conservation.
Collectors Shri Kunal Dudawat and Municipal Commissioner Shri Ashutosh Pandey have appealed to citizens to establish rainwater harvesting structures in their homes, institutions, and establishments, thereby turning rainwater harvesting into a mass movement and actively participating in this water conservation campaign. They have also urged everyone to contribute to environmental protection by planting more trees.