| |
|
PERSPECTIVE |
|
| National water policy A futile
exercise |
|
IN FOCUS |
|
| Water riots breakout in Gujarat Bustards under threat Disappearing lakes and ponds |
|
INITIATIVE |
|
| Delhi prepares to catch rain Watering schools Ready to take action Gokak goes green Journalist's meet |
|
TECHNOLOGY |
|
| Easy steps to catch rain |
|
CSE'S LATEST DESIGNS |
|
| Sankat Mochan Mandir A role model in the making |
|
CHENNAI PAGE |
|
| Water suficient Municipal water bonds Active campaigner |
|
PROFILE |
|
| Water crusader |
|
TRADITION |
|
| Kata system |
|
NEWS FROM ABROAD |
|
| A water conscious city Ghana's privatisation woes |
|
OBITUARY |
|
| Vilasrao Salunke |
|
BOOK / DOCUMENTS |
|
| Glimpses of book |
|
EVENTS |
|
| Conference call |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
Vol. 4
No.
2
April 2001
Sankat Mochan Mandir
| Harvesting rain on the banks of river
Ganga. Veer Bhadra Mishra, chairman of Sankat Mochan Foundation (SMF), a Varanasi-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), is the force behind pioneering this initiative in Varansai. Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a New Delhi-based NGO is providing technical expertise to not only revive an old temple tank but to implement rooftop water harvesting in the temple premise as well. The project has been recently taken up. This ancient temple occupies an area of 3.43 hectares that includes four open wells and one earthen tank. About 300 years ago, this temple tank was constructed during the period of sant Tulsidas. The earthen structure can store 360 liters of water. But due to neglect, its three sidewalls have collapsed, thus reducing its water holding capacity. It is currently not in use. CSE is providing designs to reconstruct the walls around the tank. Plans to divert rainwater, collected from the rooftop, to percolation pits for direct groundwater recharge purposes has also been developed. Speaking about the reasons for taking up these initiatives, Mishra said, "It is better to harvest rainwater instead of allowing it flow to the sewage drains. Moreover the municipality supply is only for limited three hours and even that is not regular. The rejuvenation of the temple tank will act as a major recharge source not only for the wells within the temple premises but for the adjacent areas as well." The message is clear – harvest and respect rain even when river Ganga is your neighbour. |
A role model in the making
In September 2001, Panchsheel housing cooperative society (PHCS) successfully initiated the process of implementing rainwater harvesting system - starting with their club and two schools, moving on to cover the entire residential colony. Center for Science and Environment (CSE), a New Delhi-based non-governmental organisation is providing the needed technical guidance. The Panchsheel’s community is getting ready to catch every drop of rain during this monsoon and thereafter.
It all started when Krishen Saighel, secretary of PHCS concerned with the continuously depleting groundwater tables started looking for solutions. He came across the rainwater harvesting systems implemented by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) in Vasant Vihar. As he compared the designs of CGWB and CSE, it became apparent to him that the designs provided by CSE are not only contextually applicable but are not costly as well. He says, "A recharge structure implemented by CGWB in Vasant Vihar costs more than Rs one lakh, whereas CSE’s designed structures cost only Rs 25,000 – 30,000."
For
the club and two schools located in Panchsheel the rooftop and surface water was diverted
to recharge structures (near existing tubewells), which otherwise would have gone to the
sewage drains. (see sketch: Harvesting water in Panchchseel club) The implementation work
was completed within September 2001. Satisfied with the results, Saighel has gone in for
installing this system in the entire residential colony. For this project, the recharge
structures are being made in open places like, parks and playgrounds. CSE’s design
provides for the interception and diversion of all colonies’ storm drains to recharge
wells. Desilting systems are also provided to prevent suspended materials from entering
the system. The total cost of this project is Rs eight lakh, which is far less than what
was charged by CGWB (Rs 15 lakh) for implementing rainwater harvesting in Jor Bagh colony.
The budget has been sanctioned by PHCS and the work is scheduled to be completed before
the monsoon enters Delhi this year.
For further information:
Mr Krishen Saighel
Secretary,
Panchsheel housing cooperative society
Panchsheela park,
New Delhi
Tel: 6017248 / 2177