Odisha sets up 10000 rain water harvesting structures in 75 days, earns Union Min's praise

Odisha has achieved a mega milestone ahe of onset of southwest monsoon under 'Catch Rain' campaign as state's Housing and Urban Development Department set up more than 10,000 rain water harvesting structures (RWHS) to aid water conservation and groundwater recharge.

campaign, which will benefit 114 towns, was completed in 75 days under Mukhyamantri Karma Tatpara Abhiyan Yojana (MUKTA) scheme.

MUKTA scheme is an urban wage employment scheme that provides opportunities to needy people.

Hailing 'brilliant effort', Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat tweeted, "10,000 Rain water harvesting structures in 75 days across 114 local bodies is a commendable feat. This campaign run under Mukhya Mantri Karma Tatapara Abhiyan will help #CatchRain at a mammoth scale across state."

campaign was started on April 15, 2021, with motive of constructing at least 5,000 RWHS to facilitate water conservation in 114 towns in Odisha before monsoon

What is RWHS?

Rain water harvesting structures or RWHS are low-cost structures uniquely designed based on hydrogeological factors prevailing in Odisha. structures are usually constructed on playgrounds, parks, vacant lands and open spaces depending on space availability and technical feasibility. 

Motivated by success of campaign, Odisha government has decided to build ditional 10,000 RWHS. While Odisha is a water-surplus state, distribution of rainfall in state is irregular and erratic. average rainfall in Odisha is 1,400 mm. state receives about 76% of rain between mid-June and mid-September and receives remaining 24% rain throughout year.

About 'Catch Rain' campaign:

Catch Rain campaign was launched by Jal Shakti Ministry in 2020 to create RWHS with purpose of water conservation. me for this year's campaign is “Catch rain, where it falls, when it falls” and will run till November 30, 2021.

"Government is implementing a number of schemes for rainwater harvesting which include Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal), Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme etc. Trainings, workshops, painting competitions, awards, seminars, water talks, webinars etc. are also held for awareness generation and for effective implementation of schemes and programmes on water conservation and rainwater harvesting," government said in a press release.