Villagers take part in the ‘Pani Adva Pani Jirva’ initiative by the Thane Panchayat to revive the neglected natural water bodies in the village.
Photo Credits: Uday Sawant
VALPOI
Concerns over possible water scarcity amid the Mhadei water diversion issue had prompted the Thane panchayat to turn its attention to revive the neglected natural water bodies in the village.
The Thane Panchayat on Monday began in initiative to revive its natural water bodies in collaboration with Pune-based organisation Vanrai and support from NABARD.
Work on reviving the water body at Hirve began in the presence of Vanarai Project Manager Rishikesh Duram, Trustee Sagar Dharia, Thane Sarpanch Sarita Gaonkar, Deputy Sarpanch Tanaya Gawkar, Panchayat members Anushka Gawas, Subhash Gawde, Nilesh Parwar, Vinayak Gawas and Suresh Aikar.
Duram lauded the Thane panchayat for taking the initiative to revive the water bodies and said this is the first such initiative in Sattari taluka.
Thane Sarpanch Sarita Gaonkar said this activity will be taken up in the areas of Hivre, Golavali, Rive, Pali and Surla.
“This work has started at Hivre and during the first year, the villagers will be responsible to clean and maintain this water body as part of the ‘Shram Dhan’ initiative. After that, it will be maintained by Vanrai Sansthan for four years,” said Gaonkar.
Panchayat Secretary Sarvesh Gaonkar said the ‘Pani Adva Pani Jirva’ is a special initiative taken by the Panchayat.
“This activity is very important towards water conservation because if the natural water bodies are rejuvenated, water will be preserved for the next generation,” he said.
He informed that the panchayat had contacted the Vanrai organisation and later submitted a report for approval.
“After the report was submitted, the area was inspected and it was decided to undertake this activity for the next five years in association with the panchayat and the organisation,” said the panchayat secretary.
