RAIN CENTRE
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RAIN CENTRE |
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It all started on a fine day of 24th
June 2007, though the seed was sown earlier that day when the district
authority has rightly thought for the measures to mitigate the water scarcity
of the Western part of the District as well as harness and utilize the abundant
rain available as a blessing of nature, with involvement of minimum technology
and cost.
Centre for Science and Environment(CSE),
New Delhi, a pioneer NGO working in the field of conservation of environment as
well as rain water harvesting came forward with a presentation on the huge potential
as well as present status of rain water harvesting in West Bengal, particularly
in Burdwan District. The Peoples’ Representatives and
officials from different Government departments present in that orientation
agreed that all out efforts should be made to make people aware about
importance of Rain Water Harvesting and different easy ways to harness rain
water and in the same day decision for establishment of a “Rain Centre” was
also taken.
After initial decision of
establishment of a “Rain Centre” in Burdwan district
a few pertinent questions like selection of site, implementing agency, source
of fund cropped up. The ‘Paschimanchal’ of the
district being worst affected due to water scarcity was the natural choice and Salanpur Panchayat Samity came up with the option to establish
the same in their office premises and they also agreed to bear a part of the
cost of construction of the building. It was estimated by CSE as around Rs. 7 lakh will be required for establishment of the centre along
with Rs. 4 lakh being required for construction of
the building.
On request of District Magistrate, Burdwan, Damodar Valley
Corporation came forward in a big way as a part of their social accountability
and allotted Rs. 10.64 lakh to Burdwan
District Administration, barring which this “Rain Centre” might not have seen
the light of day.
Mr. Salahuddin
Saiphy, Assistant Coordinator, CSE paid a number of visit
to Salanpur to give final shape to the centre and Salanpur Panchayat Samity took initiative to make the dream come true.
Burdwan Zilla Parishad with the active
leadership of Sri Uday Sankar
Sarkar, Sabhadhipati was
constantly monitoring and giving valuable suggestions wherever required during
the entire period.
Thus came
today’s “Rain Centre”, the proud possession of Burdwan
district, first of its kind in
Some Salient Features on
“Rain Centre”, Salanpur, Burdwan
[First of its kind in
1.
Date of conceptualization :
24.06.2007
2.
Date of Inauguration :
07.02.2009
3. Project
: Joint venture of Damodar Valley Corporation
and District Planning Committee, Burdwan.
4.
Supported by : Centre for Science and Environment(CSE),
5.
Implemented by : Salanpur Panchayat Samtiy.
6.
Objective : A permanent exhibition centre to provide
a) All information on rain
water harvesting (RWH)
b) Demonstration on different
methods of rain water
harvesting
c) Support in creating
awareness among people from every
sphere of society on
importance of RWH and its utilization.
d) Water Testing facility to
willing local inhabitants.
e) Information of trained
personnel on RWH.
7.
Support received to operationalize the project :
a) Damodar
Valley Corporation – Rs. 10.64 lakh
b) Salanpur Panchayat Samity – Rs. 3.50 lakh
(12th FC & PUP)
c) IEC support from Burdwan Zilla Parishad - Rs. 2.00 lakh
Total Sanitation Campaign
(To be utilized in next 2 years)
d) Technical support = Centre for
Science and Environment (CSE),
