HUBBALLI: Amid the patriotic fervour over the celebration of 75 years of Indian Independence, and although many ostentatious events have rightly caught the nation’s attention, many conscientious officials are toiling away to add to the glory of the event. Officials and staff of the Dharwad zilla panchayat (ZP) are among those who are endeavouring to boost sustainable development in the district. As part of the central government’s Amrit Sarovar Mission, 75 old lakes across Dharwad district are being revived, which will help ensure adequate supply of water for irrigation.
The lakes are being revived using funds allocated to the ZP by firms under their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), et al. ZP officials said that 15 lakes in the district would have been rejuvenated by August 15. Among others, those who participated in the freedom struggle, members of martyrs’ families, prominent citizens and locals, have been roped in for the task. The National Flag is set to be unfurled in every lake that has been revived under this initiative on August 15.
Of the 75 lakes identified for rejuvenation, 16 are in Dharwad taluk, 14 in Hubballi Rural and as many in Kundagol, 12 in Kalghatagi, 10 in Navalgund, five in Alnavar and three in Annigeri. Rejuvenation of these bodies of water entails desilting, unclogging the inlets and outlets, reforestation of the premises, erecting boards and securing the lakes.
