Public Well at Shankaramthazhathu in Chirayinkeezhu Grama Panchayat (Thiruvananthapuram District)

Kerala is famous for its many lakes, backwaters and rivers that crisscross its terrain but senseless sand-mining, quarrying and a severe drought brought about partially by climate change have created a situation where drinking water has become a scarce commodity for millions of people. In this situation, the Supreme Court of India has said that the Indian government has a duty to protect water bodies to ensure its citizens their fundamental right to a decent quality of life. Besides, the state also has a duty to protect the environment. So the Government assigned water management function to each tier of Panchayat.

In this circumstance most of the Local Self Government Institutions formulated projects for the protection of water resources in their terrain. In rural areas of Kerala, drinking water wells are there in each household. They mainly depend on it for domestic purposes. But due to the change in climate some areas, especially hilly areas suffer from scarcity of water. Then the people in those areas depend on other sources.

The public well in Shankaramthazhathu of Chirayinkeezhu Grama Panchayat is a great blessing to the people in the locality. The well is enough to meet the drinking water needs of the people in the area even during summer season. So as per the demand raised by Gramasabha, Chirayinkeezhu Grama Panchayat decided to renovate the well to get more water and maintain a clean surrounding. The work comprised of deepening well and construction of platform around it. They used the excavated material after deepening of the well for the construction of platform. The well is then covered with an iron net. The work completed by using the Performance Grant of Rs.1,00,000 in 2015-16. Over 150 households depend on it, especially during the time of drought.

The work was completed with the regular supervision of Mr.Anoop, the ex-ward member and the beneficiaries of the project. He ensured people’s participation in each and every stage of the implementation of the project. The layout the work was decided by the beneficiaries. So the beneficiaries took the responsibility of the periodical maintenance of the well. Now every person in the area get adequate safe water for drinking, cooking and other domestic basic needs on a sustainable basis and safe water is accessible at all times and in all situations.