New Delhi, July 10 -- In a move that combines education, environmental awareness and water conservation, the Delhi government on Friday signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indraprastha Gas Limited and Ehsaas NGO to install modern rainwater harvesting systems in 75 CM Shri Schools across the Capital under the 'Catch the Rain' initiative.
The agreement was signed at the Delhi Secretariat in the presence of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. The project, funded through IGL's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, will include technical audits of existing rainwater harvesting structures, restoration of old systems, installation of new rooftop harvesting units, and water conservation workshops for students and teachers.
Calling water conservation essential for the future, the Chief Minister said, "Water conservation is not merely an environmental necessity but the foundation of a secure future for coming generations." She added that the initiative reflects the government's effort to promote education and environmental responsibility together.
Gupta said the project would begin with 75 schools but could eventually be expanded to nearly 800 government schools across Delhi. "The government's objective is to install rainwater harvesting systems in all government schools in Delhi and make them fully functional," she said.
Under the 12-month project, each school will receive a modern rooftop rainwater harvesting unit equipped with pipelines, filters, tanks and recharge structures. Maintenance and technical support will be provided for one year, while the Directorate of Education will oversee long-term upkeep after completion.
Officials estimate that each school could recharge around two lakh litres of groundwater annually, contributing significantly to groundwater conservation in the capital.
Education Minister Ashish Sood said, "The 'Catch the Rain' campaign is an integral part of this broader vision." He added that the initiative would encourage students to adopt sustainable lifestyles and support the government's target of converting all 1,000 government schools into Zero Waste Campuses.
The Delhi government said the success of the pilot project would determine its phased expansion to other
government and Municipal Corporation of Delhi schools in the coming years.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.