New Delhi: Blue Hyderabad campaign can change the face of water conservation and management in the city of Hyderabad. This was highlighted by Kalpana Ramesh, Water Warrior, The Rain Water Project in the valedictory session of virtual ‘Global Water Management Conclave’ organised by APAC News Network in association with the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India.
Talking about her initiatives, she said ‘Hyderabad is facing a major challenge of groundwater depletion owing to multiple reasons such as population explosion, urbanisation, pollution, etc. Groundwater is used for irrigation (85 per cent), rural drinking needs (65 per cent) and urban water needs (50 per cent). 60 per cent of annual water consumption needs can be met by rooftop rainwater. Blue Hyderabad – The Rainwater Project campaign has been launched in collaboration with Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) and the Government of Telangana Groundwater Department to focus on improving groundwater level through block by block rainwater harvesting. Our aim is to improve the groundwater levels in all the 98 blocks in the city.’
She further added, ‘we are also involving communities and corporates to make this campaign a success. Rainwater harvesting facilities are being built in public spaces. We are creating awareness among people, especially through schools and education institutes. We have started conserving lakes since they are the largest catchment areas for rainwater. We have installed trash guards around lakes so that the lakes are not contaminated. We are also restoring wells. To bridge the huge gap between awareness and implementation, we are working innovatively by micro-focussing in the 98 blocks, which are serving as 98 watersheds. We have divided these blocks into various flooding zones, critical zones, confined aquifer zone and green zone. The intervention methods vary according to the zones.’
Suggesting to the government Kalpana added, ‘I urge the Government to focus on the water coming from flyovers and metros, which can be restored and taken into account. We are taking this project across all levels and aiming success for the Blue Hyderabad campaign.’
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