Written by Ranjini | Mar 1, 2021 1:59:00 PM
According to Mamata, TMC decided to launch the project while drafting the manifesto for the 2011 assembly elections in the state. The claim that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a Jal Dharo Jal Bharo initiative to conserve rainwater is True.
According to the state government’s official website, the project was launched in 2011-12 by TMC’s Mamata-led government. It aimed to preserve the water resources by harvesting rainwater and constructing minor irrigation structures.
The program prompted the state government’s Water Resources Investigation & Development Department to re-gouge the water bodies, including the ponds, tanks, canals, and reservoirs where the water holding capacities had lowered. A part of the program also included the artificial recharge of underground water through rooftop rainwater harvesting, dams, tanks, and irrigation schemes. The program focussed on educating the local population about the importance of rainwater conservation and using rainwater for irrigation purposes.
On July 12, 2019, Mamata organized a march to raise awareness about water conservation and marked the day as ‘Save Water Day.’ She was accompanied by several government officials, her Cabinet ministers, and eminent intellectuals. She also wrote a theme song and a pledge in Bengali for the occasion, The Indian Express reported. Mamata also urged the locals to ensure zero wastage of drinking water.
The report further quoted her as saying that the party decided to launch the project while drafting the manifesto for the 2011 assembly elections. She claimed that she had created 3 lakh ponds in the last eight years and check dams for water conservation.