Dharashiv Zilla Parishad plans drought measures, cattle water tanks in all 729 villages

With the threat of drought deepening in Dharashiv district, the Zilla Parishad administration will plan a range of measures to give relief to farmers, farm labourers and livestock keepers. Zilla Parishad president Archanatai Ranajagjitsinh Patil has assured them that the Zilla Parishad will stand firmly with them in difficult times.

Under the plan, water tanks with a capacity of 5,000 litres each are to be provided for livestock in all 729 villages of the district. Animals will be counted village by village and tagged. Water troughs will also be built at required places according to the number of animals, so that they continue to get drinking water during the drought.

The impact of drought is not limited to farming and drinking water. Rearing animals also becomes a major problem. A shortage of water and fodder puts livestock keepers under financial strain. With this in mind, the Zilla Parishad will plan long-term measures.

To increase water availability, percolation tanks, storage tanks and Kolhapuri-type weirs in the district will be inspected. Where repairs are needed, the necessary work is planned to be taken up. In addition, water sources in villages will be examined and wells and borewells will be acquired as needed to arrange water supply. The aim will be to make proper use of available water to meet the needs of both people and livestock.

In a drought, animals need adequate fodder as much as water. Emphasis will therefore be placed on planning fodder cultivation as required and making fodder available for livestock. The Zilla Parishad administration will try to protect livestock by arranging both water and fodder.

A possible drought could add to the financial burden on rural families. In view of this, women's self-employment will also be promoted. The plan is to encourage women to take up self-employment through community resource persons (CRPs). CRPs who encourage women will be given an incentive allowance of Rs 1,000. The initiative will seek to create self-employment opportunities for rural women.

Given the severity of the drought, measures will be planned for a period of about 11 to 12 months. These include water supply, water troughs for livestock, availability of fodder, repair of water sources and promotion of women's self-employment.

Archanatai Ranajagjitsinh Patil expressed confidence that the Zilla Parishad administration would keep working to give relief to farmers, farm labourers, livestock keepers and ordinary citizens in the drought. Measures will be planned and taken to protect livestock and to provide essential facilities to people in rural areas. For the benefit of the proposed measures to reach farmers and livestock keepers in every village, effective implementation will be important.