They conceived Jal Shakti 20 years ago in Nizamabad

Nizamabad: Well before the Central government launched Jal Shakti Abhiyan Yojana, a scheme to save water, the people of Donpal village did it 20 years ago.Donpal village stands as a model to all the regions across the State and country also.

20 years ago, when people are busy encroaching empty pond lands either to turn them into real estate business or for farming, these villagers are busy in constructing percolation tanks and ponds to increase groundwater levels.

Donpal is a small village in Mortad mandal of Nizamabad district with 1,207 people and 326 houses. The literacy rate of 45.9 per cent and working population is 61.35 per cent. These villagers are known as 'Bhagirathas'.

The villagers have constructed 20 new ponds around the village to save water rather than wasting every drop of rain. These ponds were constructed as chain ponds connected to one another. When a pond is filled with rainwater, the excess water will automatically flow into another pond connected with pipes.

Despite a low rainfall for the past 20 years, there was no problem with both irrigation and drinking water needs in this village. Paddy will be cultivated in about 30 acres with gravity water on either side. Motor pumps are also not used here.

The villagers' future view has increased the groundwater levels not only in this village but also in the surrounding villages within a distance of six km, with the help of percolation tanks.

The village has been recognized for its efforts in the joint Andhra Pradesh State as well as got awards for water saving. Former Chief Minister N Chandrababu got inspiration from these villagers and took up construction of water conservation pits (Inkudu guntalu).