The Board will initiate Grandparent Clubs to inspire the next generation to conserve water[/caption]HMWSSB to impose penalties on commercial institutions not setting up rain water harvesting pits for water conservation by end of May
Hyderabad, April 7,
Strongly believing in the adage that with age comes wisdom, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board (HMWSSB), has mooted the concept of Grandparent-Grandchildren Clubs to sensitise the young on the need for water conservation and rainwater harvesting, Mr. M Dana Kishore, Managing Director said.
“While we do not realize it, it is the retired who are perhaps the most resourceful and impactful when it comes to civic issues and are best placed to influence the young”, he told representatives of some 100 odd Resident Welfare Associations (RWA), here today. Therefore, the effort to kick-start these clubs in the twin-cities would be taken up earnestly with activities involving the old and young participants, Mr Dana Kishore said addressing a workshop on Jalam Jeevam, the Board’s campaign for water conservation in the city.
The initiative for such clubs is just one among the slew of programmes being taken up by the Board for water conservation which mainly centers on rainwater harvesting (RWH).
The initiative for such clubs is just one among the slew of programmes being taken up by the Board for water conservation which mainly centers on rainwater harvesting (RWH).
While the focus is on self-governance and initiative where RWAs are concerned, it is in fact a carrot and stick approach where commercial establishments are concerned. For instance function halls across the city have been warned that if they don’t set up RWH pits by end of May this year, their water connections may be cut. Likewise most large institutions across the twin-cities have been encouraged to set up their own RWH pits and ensure they are in order.
The Board is also taking up a novel scheme for arranging bank loans for construction of Rain Water Harvesting Structures by RWAs at a concessional rate. The details were being worked for this, HMWSSB officials added.
Also, in a bid to encourage house owners, apartment complexes and commercial establishments to set up RWH pits, the HMWSSB has also kicked off an aggressive campaign.
Towards this the board has roped in 14 NGOs to spread the word while some 200 contractors have been empanelled to be available to RWAs and others who want to set up RWH pits within their premises. At the same time apart from sprucing up its website to provide more information and resources for RWH and water conservation measures, the Board also launched the Jalam Jeevam mobile App to provide this information and access to redressal at the fingertips.
The focus will be on sharing inspirational and success stories with RWAs putting up their own accounts with pictures and videos through the App and the Website to build general awareness on RWH and water conservation.
“In fact the awareness campaign will be followed by penal provisions”, the HMWSSB chief said. As such it is already mandatory to construct RWH / Conversation structures in all premises that are 200 squremetres and above.
The Board on its own, has over the past two months, dug nearly one thousand RWH pits across the city under the Jalam Jeevam programme.
1 Comments
It is necessary that the rain water harvesting pits dug last year and before last year are maintained. Let HMWS&SB do its own home work with all sincerity RWAs are ready to cooperate.
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