People in Bihar get together to clean dirty ponds and lakes

Gaya, June 16 : People in Gaya, in Bihar have come together to clean the lakes and ponds in the district for providing clean water to the people.

They have taken up the project as part of the initiative by the Magad Jal Jamaat, a self-help group. Many lakes and ponds have been cleaned up during the last one year.

"We are all cleaning the water. There are 5000 acres of land here. After independence, the government has not spent a penny on cleaning it. I do it on my own every year. I want to send a message to the government that it should do something about it. We are going ahead with this project with the help of Pathak of the Magadh Jal Jamaat. People belonging to different strata of the society and religions, Hindus, Muslims, have all come to work together. Water is for everybody. It is a gift of nature. We want to save it," said Mohammad Sohabuddin, a villager.

The villagers credit their collective efforts for all the work done. People from all walks of life including doctors, students, farmers and politicians are working together to make this mission a success.

"First we formulated a plan and are working according to it now. When there was a drought we were simultaneously working on eight ponds. On our advice, the government provided us with a tank of water. Defence, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), police officials, professors, students, doctors and farmers have been working together. 80 per cent of the work is done and 20 per cent is left," said Ravindra Pathak, Co-coordinator, Magadh Jal Jamaat.

Jamune Dasain Lake which had become extinct due to the negligence of the government is now being cleaned up. The lake is being revived, thanks to the collective efforts of the people from the area.

ANI