Rajasthan all set for 'Jal Chetna Yatra'

Jaipur, May 14: Rajasthan, which is water-stressed round the year, is gearing up for the month-long 'Jal Chetna Yatra' slated to kick off from May 16.

With declining rainfall over the years, the surface and underground water-level has been going down continuously. The utilisation of underground water which was 35 percent in 1985, has increased to 125 per cent in the present day.

Out of the state's 237 blocks, adequate-level of underground water remains only in 32 blocks. Moreover, the daily consumption of water which should be 1,000 cubic mm per person is only 800 cubic mm in the state.

The state government sponsored 'Jal Chetna Yatra', which will cover 18,000 villages is mainly to create awareness about the need for conservation and proper utilisation of water.

The yatra comprising of 305 decorated raths would halt in the villages, where gram sabhas would be held and people would be made aware of the need for water conservation through puppet shows, small skits and street plays in local dialects. Posters, slogans and informative material about saving water would also be distributed to the people.

About one lakh water harvesting projects are to be constructed in the first phase of the yatra.

The yatra would be kicked off by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia, from Sikar district and later from Khairtal panchayat in Alwar.

UNI