Page 34 - Mann Ki Baat English
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other staff from 111 villages along of Anantapur had taken a
the river. People were urged to pledge and led a Jan Bagidari
understand that clean water movement... Under this project,
not only looks good, but is also the people, not expecting
essential for their health. As a anything from anyone... have
result of this initiative, the river is started building and reviving the
now clean." old tradition reservoirs.”
Life Flourishes in Anantapur The people here, including
Anantapur district in Andhra farmers and laborers, cleaned
Pradesh has the second lowest the ponds themselves, built
rainfall after Jaisalmer. Water check dams, and planted over
scarcity was so severe that 7,000 trees. As a result, nature
people were forced to abandon is now smiling on the once
their homes. Rather than leaving desolate area. Bharat happily
matters to fate, the youth explains:
decided to act and picked up
the spade themselves.
Anantapur resident Bisathi
Bharat explains how the 'Ananta
Neeru Sanrakshan' project has
changed the landscape. He
says:
"Water is the biggest
problem... recurring droughts,
uncertain livelihoods... So, just
a few years before, the people
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