Rainwater harvesting system to come up in over 1800 buildings in Theni

MADURAI: Efforts have been taken by the Theni district administration to establish rainwater harvesting system in 1,810 structures in the district and simultaneously plant 50,000 saplings, district collector Pallavi M Baldev has said.

She launched the movement, which she said would turn into a people’s movement at Erasanaickanur panchayat in Chinnamanur panchayat union.

A rainwater harvesting structure was established in Lakshmi Narayanan temple and trees were planted in the government higher secondary school in the panchayat. Works to desilt the local tank was also initiated.

Speaking at the event, the collector said that the 226 drinking water schemes which were taken up in the district at a cost of Rs 8.79 crore helped to tide over the summer months. In Theni district, RWH systems are to be established at various places. Of the total 1,810 structures, 1,645 are to be established in panchayats.

It includes 198 school buildings, in 130 panchayats, 587 places of worship, 92 commercial buildings and 768 individual houses.

In 22 town panchayats in the district, RWH systems are to be constructed in 131 places including 22 schools, 29 places of worship, 7 commercial establishments, and 86 individual houses.

In the six municipalities, 34 structures are to be established including 8 schools, and 9 houses.

Further, 4500 self-help groups, in Theni district, with a membership of about 50,000 has been roped in to plant trees in the district. The collector said that each member would be given a sapling to plant and nurture. As many as 16,000 trees were planted by them on Wednesday.

As many as 13,326 students from government schools, 2,707 private school students and 490 college students are to be roped in to create awareness on water management, she said.