Innovative rain harvesting yields 47 lakh litres of water for Kasaragod family

Rajapuram (Kasaragod): Rajesh Scaria, a teacher at Bellikoth Mahakavi 'P' Smaraka Government Higher Secondary School, and his family have successfully harvested 47 lakh litres of rainwater on their farm within a month. Rajesh, alongside his father, Scaria Mathew, a farmer, has constructed two large water tanks on their farm with capacities of 40 lakh litres and 7 lakh litres respectively.

The smaller reservoir, which holds 7 lakh litres of water, was completed in 2018 at a cost of Rs 3.25 lakh. This storage system was created by excavating a laterite stone area behind their house. Measuring seven metres in width, 25 metres in length, and four metres in depth, this reservoir also doubles as a swimming pool for the family and friends. The reservoir fills up within 15 days of rainfall.

Given the success of the initial reservoir, Rajesh, who is also a public servant, and his father decided to build a larger one. They cut down rubber trees near their house to make space for the new reservoir, which measures 40 metres in length, 15 metres in width, and four metres in depth, and has a capacity of 40 lakh litres of water. This new reservoir also filled up rapidly with the recent rains.

In addition to a Rs 75,000 grant from the Department of Agriculture, the family funded the rest of the project themselves to maintain greenery and store water on their farm.

Moreover, the well in their house is being recharged using Kerala Sasthra Sahitya Parishad's well-recharging system. Facilities have also been set up to redirect water from the road into the reservoirs through canals, ensuring no water is wasted.