Women have taken the lead in construction of 5 check dams in the district. Seen as a step towards equality and redefining women power.
In a rare attempt, women of Dakshina Kannada have taken up the task of constructing five check dams in the district under the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Assured Employment project. This is seen as a major step towards equality in water conservation works in the district.
The Dakshina Kannada ZP aims at constructing a thousand check dams under the Assured Employment project. Five of them are being constructed entirely by women. Gathering Stree Shakti and Self Help Groups, the women aim to construct one check dam per village. Each group consists of 15 women workers who have undertaken physical labour. Only for concrete work they are employing male workers.
The check dams are being constructed at Puttur, Sullia, Belthangady and Bantwal. The ZP has sanctioned Rs 21.73 lakhs for this purpose. For a check dam at Hasanadka, Balnad village, Rs 5 lakhs, for Bandegatlu, Kanaka Majalu, Sullia taluk, Rs 4.98 lakhs, for Nettilakodi, Naringana, Bantwal Rs 3.70 lakhs, for Bajilmar, Charmadi village, Belthangady taluk RS 5 lakhs and for Punjala, Tanneerpanth village Rs 3 lakhs are allocated. Of them works at Tanneerpanth is completed. Works at Hasanadka and Kanaka Majalu have started. At Bajelmar the work has been stalled due to waterlogging. At Naringana desilting is in progress. The women are eager to complete the works before the onset of rains.
Poornima J, PDO of Tanneerpanth GP, has appreciated the women for completing the works. Dr M R Ravi, CEO DK ZP, has said that this indicates that the district is moving towards equality. Sudhakar, Adult Education officer also has praised the women for coming forward to take up the work proving their concern for water conservation.
