Khammam Collector plans large-scale water harvesting structures to increase groundwater

15 rain harvesting pits each should be developed in Khammam rural, Kusumanchi, Nelakondapalli, Tirumalayapalem, Wyra, Enkoor and Singareni mandals, where groundwater is decreasing, suggests Collector Muzammil Khan

Khammam: The district administration has planned to take up digging of harvesting pits and farm ponds in the district on a large scale to address the problem of groundwater depletion.

As many as 15 rain harvesting pits each should be developed in Khammam rural, Kusumanchi, Nelakondapalli, Tirumalayapalem, Wyra, Enkoor and Singareni mandals, where groundwater was decreasing, district Collector Muzammil Khan suggested.

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Agricultural extension officers should consult with farmers at the field level and take steps to develop farm ponds in the fields of those interested and at least five farm ponds should be dug up in each mandal. The works should be carried out under MGNREGS, the Collector said.

Khan further told officials to conduct a special drive in the next 10 days to dig trenches and field channels in forest areas in the district as well as desilting of tanks and other works under Employment Guarantee Scheme.

By establishing boundary trenches for forest lands, it would not only provide work to the employment guarantee labourers but would also be useful in protecting forest lands and reducing disputes.

Proposals should be submitted for full-scale trenching in forest areas. Groundwater would increase by growing water-observing plants in the forest areas. If works for new crop canals and farm ponds were identified and proposals submitted by the Agriculture Department they would be sanctioned and work could be started within 24 hours, the Collector said.

Employment guarantee scheme should also be used to increase horticulture crops in the district. Construction of community soak pits and drains should be taken up in at least 40 villages in the district.

Steps should be taken to construct rain harvesting pits at 20 places under revenue department and 20 places under the horticulture area by the Agriculture Department in each mandal for increasing groundwater in the future, Khan said.