Candle Light Vigil around Traditional Water Bodies
With a view to generating awareness about the importance of water conservation and the need to protect traditional water bodies, a candle light vigil was organized around the Collectorate Pond in Bhojpur district of Bihar on 3rd September, 2019.
Around 5500 people participated in the event, their participation an indication of their willingness to becoming a Neer Ke Veer (water warrior). The message spread through the event was “Jal hai toh Kal hai” (Future depends on water), according to UNICEF Consultant, Mr. Nikhil Singh.
The 3R concept that stands for ‘recharge, reuse and replenish’ was also conveyed to the people assembled at the pond.
The gathering comprised of 2000 students from middle to high school and 1000 college students while the remaining were members of Panchayat Raj Institutions and general residents of Bhojpur district. This event was supported by CSR funds of Hindustan Unilever.
The large Collectorate pond is an iconic site in Bhojpur, considered a melting pot of religions, given that it is surrounded by a temple, a church and a mosque on its three sides. The Chhath Puja is performed at this pond each year.
Planned and coordinated by UNICEF, the candlelight vigil was held as a part of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan that is being observed nationwide to put in place measures in the areas of water conservation and rainwater harvesting; renovation of traditional water bodies/tanks; reuse borewell recharge structures; watershed development and intensive afforestation.
Further, almost 350-400 water bodies have been renovated while around 550-600 soak pits are under construction.
[The Blog was first published on https://jalshakti.wordpress.com/]
