Uncontrolled and over-exploitation of groundwater resources for decades has depleted this precious source in India.The depleting water levels threaten agriculture, industries and access to drinking water needs. While there are many efforts taken by the government and individual platforms to revive groundwater levels, a district collector in Telangana state has succeeded in increasing the levels by six metres.
Devarakonda Krishna Bhaskar became the first district collector of Rajanna-Sircilla in 2016 after it was carved on the map of Telangana.To replenish the groundwater, the district administrator has worked wonders with the effective implementation of government schemes.“Water scarcity has been a never-ending issue for the district. All the taluks or mandals were labelled, in the category of drought-prone or semi drought-prone,” says 36-year-old Krishna, adding that the severe water scarcity made it exceptionally difficult to live through the harsh days of summer.
“Hundreds of grievances were filed for the demand of water tankers for supply, RO (reverse osmosis) plants for construction and overhead water storage reservoir sanctions. To tackle the water scarcity, many initiatives were launched on priority,” Krishna says.From upgrading tanks to having piped water systems, land acquisition of reservoirs, desiltation of water storage bodies, digging trenches and building capacity for water storage, the district went on a massive drive to conserve water in water bodies.“Over the last three years, a significant progress is achieved by effectively implementing government schemes like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and creating reservoirs,” Krishna says.
The district collector says that as officers, there is always the temptation to try many things at once. “But it is important to realise priorities and focus on them accordingly to reap the benefits,” Krishna says.
