Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], October 3 : Marri Channa Reddy Memorial Trust organised a round table conference on the Four Water Concept for Ultimate Water Security for Telangana, proposed by Late T. Hanumanth Rao in Hyderabad.
The event was held at CESS Auditorium, Nizamia Observatory Campus, Begumpet (Ameerpet) and saw participation by Parliamentarians, legislators, Kisan Cells of political parties, scientists, academics, public policy experts and concerned citizens.
Marri Shashidhar Reddy called upon the Telangana government to seriously reconsider its decision to implement the Kodangal Lift Scheme to irrigate about 1 lakh acres at an estimated cost of Rs 4350 crore.
Elaborating on this proposal, he opined that taking into account the cost of acquiring 3000 acres of land, "the actual cost would even double this amount, factoring in delays and resultant cost escalation. Besides, there would be recurring energy and O&M charges. By comparison, the cost of implementing the Watershed Development Programme based on Late T Hanumanth Rao's four water concepts to irrigate 1 lakh acres could cost only Rs 150 crores at the rate of about Rs 15,000 per acre and there can be a convergence of funding, mostly coming from the government of India funds with a minimum contribution from the state."
Speaking while chairing the round table on the Four Water Concept for Ultimate Water Security for Telangana organised by the M Channa Reddy Memorial Trust, he emphasised, "that implementing this will provide water for three crops in a year, as has been witnessed in Gotigaripalli village in Kohir Mandal, even 23 years after it was implemented there."
He also mentioned the successful implementation of this program in the state of Rajasthan, transforming the parched and semi-arid districts into lands capable of growing three crops.
He recalled that the present state irrigation minister, Uttam Kumar Reddy, was a participant in several events organised by the Trust and was fully aware of the vast benefits that are possible because of the four water concepts.
He appealed to him to prevail upon CM Revanth Reddy to go for the watershed programme instead of the proposed Kodangal Lift Scheme. He added, "I invite them to visit Gotigaripalli near Zahirabad and also Rajasthan for a first-hand experience of the enormous benefits possible".
Shashidhar Reddy said that he invited Rajya Sabha MP and member of the BJP Parliamentary Board, K Laxman, for a special reason. "This four-water concept has to be taken to the notice of PM Shri Narendra Modi so that it can be spread to all states in the country. There is also a need to educate members of Parliament about this."
Speaking on this occasion, Laxman showed keen interest and lauded the efforts of the Trust and Shashidhar Reddy and assured all his help to this getting its due recognition at the national level. He suggested that the Channa Reddy Trust can organise a Round Table in Delhi and he will ensure participation of a large number of MPs in that. Just as former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje had immediately understood the relevance of the programme and got it implemented throughout Rajasthan, DR Laxman said, "Why not all other state chief ministers also grab the opportunity to take this up in their states?"
Laxman strongly suggested that CM Revanth Reddy should rethink the proposed new lift scheme and, instead, take up this low-cost watershed development program as an economic and viable alternative to the costly lift schemes.
MP Konda Vishweshwar Reddy also lauded the efforts of the Trust to spread public awareness about this low-cost and highly effective option to provide water for three crops in a year. At the outset, eminent environmentalist and member of the Trust, Prof. K Purushotham Reddy, welcomed the gathering and recalled the tremendous benefits of the highly sustainable development option for the four-water concept.
Public policy specialist Donthi Narasimha Reddy made a presentation about the work done in Gotigaripalli village, in the presence of the former Sarpanch Rachappa and others from that village.
A presentation was also given by retired SE from Rajasthan, Deepak Prasad Shrivatsav, on how the poor and marginalised people constituting about 75 per cent of the people of the Bansara district of Rajasthan had gained immensely because of this program.
Nayanala Goverdhan, social activist, Narsanna Koppula, International permaculture expert, Hanumanth Rao's close family members and many other concerned citizens attended the event today at the CESS Auditorium.
Retired as irrigation engineer-in-chief of the unified Andhra Pradesh, Hanumantha Rao was an expert with the World Bank and served as consultant to the United Nations relating to projects in Africa. The concept focussed on rainwater, soil moisture, ground water and surface water and it encompassed techniques for optimising storage, recharge and utilisation.