WATER LITERACY CAMPAIGN

COMMUNICATION &CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT UNIT FOR WATSAN(CCDU KERALA)
TRIVANDRUM, India, 22 Mar 07

Government of Kerala launched a year long Water literacy campaign starting from this World Water day i.e from 22nd March 2007 .This is an action oriented campaign with defined targets and outputs.The focus will be on:-
* Conservation and preservation of existing water bodies, especially the traditional water bodies in the rural areas.
* Ensure the quality of drinking water through-
*Screening all drinking water sources in rural areas through trained volunteers , using field test kits .
*Referring the contaminated samples , to water quality labs for more scientific analysis and interpretation of results with apppropriate remedial interventions.
*Data networking of these labs results at the State and National level to monitor the water quality picture of the rural sector which will facilitate interventions from upper level. / helps to design future plans in water and sanitation sector.
* Motivating Local Self Governments to intiate area specific interventions to protect and conserve water bodies under their jurisdiction through community participation.
* As a lion share of the remedial interventions can be done at the grass root level , it will resolve the issues to a great extent. Long term interventions as well as more complicated issues can be handled at the higher levels.
* conducting sanitation surveys around all water sources to identify the routes of pollution to the water bodies by the community wil be a self learning model to prevent future manmade pollutions.
_ In places with chemical contamination , priority considerations can be given for piped water supply , bringing potable water from farther places.
*Community based IEC-HRD interventions mobilising all stakeholders for combined action in the water and sanitation sector, to ensure sustainable water quality and quandity will be the main vehicle for this effort..
* Govt will initiate stringent action through enforcement of laws to protect the water bodies which will be supported through wide publicty campaign
- Promotion of Rain water harvesting and ground water recharge will also be focused in this campaign .
* For ensuring active participation of the student community , Debates ,Quiz comptetions , POster designing competitions as well as action oriented projects will be scheduled.
- For promoting convergent action , all Line departments and agencies will be brought together in common platforms , with functional tie ups at all levels.
* Activity mapping of all stakeholders with clear cut roles , responsibilites and targets within specified time frame will be worked out.
The Communication and Capacity Development Unit (CCDU) under the Water Resources Department of Govt of Kerala will facilitate this camapign , creating a common convergent platform .
Govt issued orders setting up Advisory committee and Executive committee to run this campaign smoothly.

Contact: LATHA BHASKAR