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Water awareness march launched in Rajasthan

Special Correspondent

Slated to cover 18,000 villages across the desert State

JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje launched a month-long "Jal Chetana Yatra'' (water awareness march) in Sikar on Tuesday to educate the rural population about water conservation and modern techniques of irrigation while making them aware of the hazards of over-exploitation of water.

Ms. Raje flagged off the yatra, slated to cover 18,000 villages across the desert State, at an official function amid heavy security. A tableau with slogans such as "Jal Hai To Kal Hai'' (water will ensure a safe tomorrow), "Har Boond Qeemati Hai'' (every drop is precious), and pictures along with the public address system was mounted on a tractor to give it the shape of a "rath'' (chariot).

Similar yatras were flagged off at all the district headquarters, where the Ministers in charge were present. Ms. Raje later left for Jindoli village panchayat in Alwar district to flag off another chariot. Ms. Raje said nearly one lakh water bodies would be conserved during the yatra and public grievances camps would be organised to solve the pending matters of villagers relating to land revenue, loans, rural development, farmers' credit cards, power and panchayat works.

The yatra will touch at least one village in each panchayat samiti in the State and those operating the chariot will make the night halts at panchayat headquarters, where they will organise street plays, audio-visual shows and exhibitions. The yatra will be accompanied by "Kisan Mahotsava'' (farmers' festival) at the stoppage points.

While Education Minister Ghanshyam Tiwari flagged off a Jal Chetana Rath in Jaipur, Water Resources Minister Sanwarlal Jat launched the yatra in Alwar and Rural Development Minister Kalulal Gujjar in Tonk. A total of 305 "raths" will run all over the State during the march.

Mr. Tiwari said the campaign was not just about water conservation but would include the important aspect of developing technical skills among farmers to optimally utilise water for irrigation and increase the crop yields.

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