PATIALA: When Smt. Gurpreet Kaur became the Sarpanch of Ugani Sahib Village in Rajpura Block of Patiala District in Punjab, topmost on her agenda was to renovate the village pond. She held numerous meetings with key persons including Water Supply and Sanitation Department officials and other stakeholders who together resolved to adopt the Seechewal pond renovation technology to address the issue. “The effluent coming out of the acre-wide pond spread was a nuisance for the community, also affecting the pisciculture, causing many fish to die owing to the pollution caused by the mixing of dirty water in the fishpond, ” the Sarpanch recalled.
Exposure visit: In the initial phase, a few key influencers from the village suggested that the Seechewal pond renovation technology developed by Environmentalist Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal be checked before execution in the village. Wanting to be safe than sorry, the Gram Panchayat and its community members decided to go on an exposure visit to Seechewal village in Jalandhar District where Sh. Balbir Singh Seechewal briefed them about the technology.
Convinced about the technology and its feasibility in their village, the community unanimously decided to renovate the village pond by adopting the Seechewal model for the Ugani Sahib village that comprised of 120 households and a population of 619.
Incidentally, the village which holds historical and religious importance given that the ninth and tenth Guru Sahibs of Sikhs visited the village; was one of the first to be declared ODF Plus by the District Sanitation Team.
Technology adopted: ‘Seechewal model’ consists of one screening chamber and three wells. Under the system, sewer water from all households is collected in the screening chamber where floating material is separated. Water is then transferred to the first well which is 20 feet deep and 12 feet wide. In this chamber water revolves and solid material settles to the base. The liquid then moves into the second well measuring 20 feet deep and 10 feet wide where grease and other impurities are removed. The water that goes into the third well which is 20 feet deep and 8 feet wide is almost clean. It is transferred to the pond and used for irrigation purposes.
CSR Support:Fortunately, the Nabha Power Limited that is operating a supercritical thermal plant situated near the village wanted to contribute towards the development of the village and rejuvenation of the pond under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Implementation: The Gram panchayat had planned the renovation of the pond in such a way that the already existing trees rather than being cut should be used as for beautification of the pond. It took about 7-8 months for the pond to be rejuvenated, the cost amounting to Rs. 20 lakhs. On 26th September 2020, the Gram panchayat together with the thermal plant management presented the village community with a beautiful and clean pond.
Commenting on the project, “It will benefit this village as well as the neighboring villages, and in the coming years we hope to provide similar support to other GPs so they can implement such projects, said Mr. Gagandeep Singh Bajwa, CSR, Nabha Thermal Plant.
Benefits to the community:
The village has become neat, clean, and free of foul smell
It has contributed to improving the health of the community
It has enhanced the capacity of water in the pond
The treated water is used for irrigation, thereby decreasing the usage of bore wells
It has helped the existing fish farm to breed more fish
The renovated pond has contributed to beautification of the village
Solid Waste Management: In order to make their village visually clean the Gram panchayat in January 2021 set up a solid waste management plant in collaboration with the Round Glass Foundation that helps manage their waste in a scientific way using MGNREGA funds. The plant was inaugurated by Sh. Hardial Singh Kamboj, MLA from Rajpura. Several IEC and capacity building activities were conducted in this regard to inform the community about the importance of segregating waste at household level. It included an awareness camp and exhibition that demonstrated the technique for treatment of dry and wet waste.
Further, each household was provided with two dustbins – blue and green for dry and wet waste and a waste collector was appointed and paid Rs. 3000-4000 per month. Each household was required to pay Rs. 20-30 each month to the waste collector.
Quotes:
“There were issues of waste management in the village but our Sarpanch efficiently handled the issue and setup this plant. I am grateful to the Gram panchayat for engaging me as waste collector.” Sukhdev Singh (Waste Collector)
Poonampreet Kaur, a working woman from the village has appreciated the efforts of Gram panchayat and suggested that lids be provided along with dustbins to curb the foul smell and flies.
Jasveer Kaur, a Housewife said that earlier we used to throw household waste outside. But now Sukhdev Singh (Waste collector) comes and takes the waste. It saves our time and energy.”
Reiterating commitment for alround development of state, Punjab Minister for Water Supply and Sanitation, Mrs Razia Sultana exhorted more villages to come forward for these type of initiatives and taking maximum benefits of Government Schemes.