Udupi: In order to conserve rain water, the ground water recharging installation unit was inaugurated by Priyanka Francis, CEO Udupi Zilla Panchayat at Mount Rosary Church campus, Santhekatte, Kallianpur here on Tuesday, 5th April, 2016.

While speaking after the inauguration of the rainwater harvesting – cum – water table recharging unit at the premises she said though Udupi district receives 3,500mm to 4,000mm of rain every year, there is water shortage in the district and supplied through tankers where water scarcity places in the district. One of the solutions to the problem is to encourage people to set up rainwater harvesting in the units and people can redirect rainwater into defunct borewells to recharge the water table.

She said that in order to promote rainwater harvesting in the district, the Zilla Panchayat is promoting construction of rainwater harvesting structures both under individual and community works under MGNREGA. On depending on the location, there are different models of rainwater harvesting structures. She said the district administration has planned to establish rainwater harvesting units in the district.

After the inauguration, Priyanka Francis visited the Mount Rosary Church along with priests and others. Later, the awareness workshop on water conservation and rain water harvesting was held at Mount Rosary Millennium Hall where N. J. Devaraja Reddy, Hydro Geologist and expert in Rain water harvesting, groundwater Rejuvenation, Borewells recharging and ground water investigation.

Rev Fr. Philip Nery Aranha, Parish Priest of Mount Rosary church presided over the workshop. The workshop was organized by Social Development Commission and Mount Rosary Parish Pastoral Council. The workshop was inaugurated by N. J. Devaraja Reddy along with guests on the dais. Rev Fr. Mahesh D’Souza, Principal of Milagres English Schools, Kallianpur and Assistant parish priest of Mount Rosary, Jerry Vincent Dias, Vice President of parish council and Richard Dias, Secretary, Rev Fr. Reginald Pinto, Udupi Diocesan, Convener of Social Development Commission, Pushpa Kotian, President of Kallianpur Grama Panchayat, Joseph Rebello, Convener of the Workshop as well as Rain Water harvesting unit at Mount Rosary and others were present.

Rev Fr. Reginald Pinto pointed out the importance of water and how to prevent the wastage of water during our daily life as well. He emphasized the importance of water and gave appreciation to the Mount Rosary, Rural Development commission for the commendable job on this regard of harvesting rain water and so on.

Fr. Philip Nery Aranha said that under the leadership of Joseph Rebello who worked hard since several months along with the commission members of the church should be highly appreciated. The initiative was taken by the church under the commission which will be absolutely beneficial for the people.

Fr. Mahesh D’Souza released the pamphlets on conservation of rainwater during the occasion. Later pamphlets were distributed to the participants after the programme.

N. J. Devaraja gave various information in regard to the rainwater harvesting methods, the reasons for the decline of the water resources, sand extraction, soil erosion, increasing industrialization and other impacts of declining the water levels.

Smt. Rohini Official of Information department Udupi district was present and spoke during the occasion. Various personalities were honoured during the occasion.

Earlier, Jery Vincent Dias welcomed the gathering. Beena Pinto, former President of Badanidiyoor Grama Panchayat compered the programme. Joseph Rebello gave gratitude with vote of thanks at the end of the workshop. Various prizes were given to the students in various events. Local colleges’ students participated along with Rural Development commission members of various churches of the diocese.