Water conservation works taken up in Mansa district of Punjab under Jal Shakti Abiyan (JSA) have made an impact in real terms on the ground, with actual results clearly visible, according to the District Programme Coordinator, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) Cell.
From construction of soak pits to plantations, various works pertaining to the five interventions areas of JSA were undertaken across the water stressed district of Mansa. These include – water conservation and rainwater harvesting; renovation of traditional and other water bodies/tanks; reuse and recharge structures; watershed development; and intensive afforestation.
Going by the feedback and report from field functionaries, noticeable change has come about owing to the works taken up under JSA. Furthermore, other people have demanded that similar projects are replicated in their villages, areas, buildings and school premises, indicating their awareness about water conservation and keenness to bring positive changes to their localities.
Changes clearly visible are in the following areas:
Community Soak Pits: Soak pits were constructed in many schools to prevent stagnation of waste water and to enhance groundwater levels. These soak pits were constructed near the mid-day meal utensil washing areas and near drinking water sources. Today, there is neither sign of stagnant water; nor a breeding ground for mosquitoes. They have helped recharge ground water, the levels of which have improved.
Notably, the soak pits serve as live demos and teachers can inform students about the importance of water conservation through soak pits. This was seen in Government Schools in the villages of Kot Lallu, Narinderpura, Churria, Barnala and Khokhar Kalan.
Dense Plantation in Khokhar Kalan village: As many as 550 saplings were planted in Khokhar Kalan village based on the Akira Miyawaki method of dense plantation. Four months down the line, the results are amazing, the survival rate of plants being 97 per cent.
Jal Shakti 