UGC exhorts varsities to 'catch the rain'

Hyderabad: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked all the universities and their affiliated colleges and institutions to take up works to establish Rain Water Harvesting Structures (RWHS).

A UGC circular sent to the universities said that the National Water Mission has initiated a campaign 'Catch the Rain' to conserve water, minimise wastage and ensure more equitable distribution both across and within states. It said that the campaign has been taken up to nudge all stake-holders to create RWHS before the onset of monsoon, to catch the rains.

Against this backdrop, it asked the universities and colleges to take up a series of works. They include take up RWHS works to tap large volume of rainwater to recharge the groundwater aquifers.

Besides, it asked to take up some activities like conducting drives to make water harvesting pits, rooftop RWHS, check dams etc. Also, removal of obstructions in the channels which bring water from the catchment areas and conducting repairs to step wells and using defunct bore-wells to put the water back to aquifers etc.

It asked to seek active participation of students in all the above works as part of the 'Catch the Rain' campaign.