Chennai: Rainwater harvesting systems that exist only on paper must be brought back into use, while lakes, ponds and feeder channels need urgent restoration, said Tamil Nadu Alliance of Resident Welfare Associations (AORWA). In a letter to chief minister C Joseph Vijay, they said authorities need to strictly enforce rainwater harvesting in all buildings and conduct a state-wide inspection of existing systems. They added that non-functional structures should be repaired and reactivated within a deadline.They called for all resident welfare associations to be involved in monitoring and maintenance, a state-wide public awareness campaign on water conservation, and a permanent Tamil Nadu Water Security and Rainwater Conservation Mission with measurable targets.“It is not enough to have rainwater harvesting structures on paper. The govt must make sure they are working, properly connected, and maintained regularly,” said AORWA president D Neelakannan.The association sought action from authorities to identify and remove encroachments from water bodies and catchment areas. They recommended monitoring teams at the local-body level, and a digital system to track the status of rainwater harvesting facilities in each ward. They said restoration of waterbodies should go beyond ‘cosmetic desilting’ and should be done in inlet and outlet channels, feeder canals, catchment areas and natural drainage pathways. “With changing weather patterns and the possibility of El Nino, the govt should not wait for a water crisis. We need a long-term, scientifically planned water-security programme across Tamil Nadu,” said Neelakannan.
