Gram panchayat officers' union builds Vanrai bandhara at Datora in Gondia to conserve water

Gondia, 16th: A Vanrai bandhara was built at Datora to conserve water, raise the groundwater level and tackle future water scarcity. The initiative was taken up jointly by the Gondia district unit of the Gram Panchayat Adhikari Union and the Datora gram panchayat. It carried the message of "stop the water, let it sink into the ground" and of protecting natural water sources.

Zilla Parishad Additional Chief Executive Officer Tanaji Lokhande attended the event. He was joined by Deputy Chief Executive Officers Phanindra Kuttirkar, Madhukar Wasnik (Panchayat), Kirtikumar Katre (Women and Child Welfare) and Vijay Londhe (Water Supply and Sanitation). Union district president Kamlesh Bisen and a large number of other officers and employees also took part.

Tanaji Lokhande said, "Holding back rainwater and using it well has become the need of the hour." According to Phanindra Kuttirkar, "Every village should come forward to save water by building a water conservation campaign on people's participation."

Madhukar Wasnik said, "To avoid water scarcity ahead, using water frugally and protecting water sources is extremely important." Kirtikumar Katre said, "Every village should give priority to water conservation work so that rainwater is held back and made to sink into the ground." Vijay Londhe said, "Protecting water sources and using water properly is the key route to sustainable water supply."

Stressing the importance of water conservation, union district president Kamlesh Bisen said, "Gram panchayat officers are not limited to administrative work. They can also play an important role in village development and social change. Doing public-interest work such as water conservation, while fulfilling social responsibility through the organisation, is our main aim."

He added that our forefathers planned water use well, built ponds and let water sink into the ground. For this reason, ample water is found within a hundred feet in the district today. But if it is not saved, severe water scarcity will have to be faced in the future. In his view, the Vanrai bandhara will be a big help in holding back rainwater and letting it sink into the ground.

Assistant Block Development Officer Vaishali Khobragade, district president Kamlesh Bisen, general secretary Kuldeep Kapgate, extension officers Suresh Nimje, Chunnilal Gawli and Laxmikant Chindhalore, section engineer Mayank Madhwani, gram panchayat officer Y. H. Bisen, publicity head R. R. Jamaiwar, taluka president O. K. Rahangdale and general secretary Deepak Revatkar took part in the campaign.

Besides them, a large number of gram panchayat officers from the district were present, including Durga Bhongade, Divyani Dongre, S. S. Rahangdale, P. B. Giripunje, N. H. Yele, Kunal Kosarkar, Kunal Rahangdale, H. B. Patle, Parag Hemne, G. N. Lilhare, K. P. Upwanshi, G. R. Uke, R. D. Meshram, D. S. Agrawal, K. G. Thakre, S. R. Kothewar, Vedmurti Sakure, Shivanand Gautam, R. G. Chaudhari, P. R. Chaudhari, Rajratna Meshram, Avinash Rahangdale, C. A. Rahangdale, Yogaraj Funde, Gore, Pandurang Harikhede, Sanjay Kadav and Jitendra Ramteke.

The joint initiative of the Gram Panchayat Adhikari Union, Gondia, and the Datora gram panchayat has been described as giving a good message of social responsibility, protection of the environment and water security. Such inspiring work will raise awareness of water conservation in villages and strengthen the campaign to save water.