SRINAGAAR: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo on Tuesday chaired a meeting at the DC Office to assess the progress of the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Abhiyan 2.0 under the Jal Shakti Abiyan’s Catch the Rain Campaign. The meeting focused on advancing water conservation efforts across the district.
Participants included Additional District Development Commissioner Rifat Aftab Qureshi, Chief Planning Officer Fayaz Ahmad Dar, Joint Commissioner SMC Suhai ul Islam, Superintending Engineer Hydraulic Er Ambreen Anjum, Assistant Commissioner Development Tariq Ahmad, SDM East Zubair Ahmad, and officials from I&FC, Water Works, Rural Water Works, UEED, SMC, City Drainage, LCMA, and other departments.
The DC emphasized the importance of inter-departmental coordination to meet campaign goals. He directed agencies to ensure timely completion of ongoing projects and stressed creating sustainable rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge systems to boost water availability. The Jal Shakti Department was tasked with geo-tagging water sources and recharge structures, providing technical support to Panchayats for water conservation initiatives.
He also called for increased IEC activities to raise awareness about water conservation, sustainable management, and community involvement. Highlighting water conservation as a shared responsibility, the DC urged all departments to adopt a coordinated approach for effective implementation.
Specific directives included promoting rooftop rainwater harvesting in educational institutions, identifying “Jal Doots” and “Student Water Champions” among students to serve as water conservation ambassadors. The Agriculture Department was asked to promote micro-irrigation and water-efficient crops, while the Irrigation and Flood Control Department was instructed to focus on watershed management, rejuvenation of water bodies, desilting, and groundwater recharge.
The Rural Development Department was directed to utilize MGNREGA for rainwater harvesting, soak pits, and village ponds, along with awareness campaigns at the Panchayat level. The Forest Department was tasked with plantation drives and water body conservation within forests. Urban bodies were asked to promote rooftop rainwater harvesting, rejuvenate urban water bodies, and increase public awareness.
The ICDS Department was instructed to encourage similar water conservation efforts in Anganwadi Centres, with a focus on empowering women and strengthening community outreach.