John Wilbert &Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Apr 19: The villagers of Nancowry have been struggling with water scarcity for years, particularly during the dry season. Women, in particular, are burdened with the task of fetching water from distant sources or waiting in long queues to collect enough for their families.
The Tribal Council of Nancowry has repeatedly requested the Andaman and Nicobar Administration to address the issue by emphasizing the Jal Jeevan Mission through the construction of rainwater harvesting systems in all government buildings. Recently, the chief of the Nancowry Tribal Council, Mrs. Ayesha Majid, called for immediate action on water management in the region.
Many villages in Nancowry face acute water scarcity during the dry season, despite the availability of wells in most villages. Villages like Tapong, Hutui, and Campion Islands currently face a water scarcity issue, and water is supplied from Katchal Islands through ferry services. The chief of the Nancowry Tribal Council has requested that greater emphasis be given to the Jal Jeevan Mission through the construction of huge ponds and check dams in all villages.
Mrs. Ayesha Majid has also requested that the Andaman Public Works Department (APWD) construct new ponds in every village of Nancowry so that the village can be self-sufficient during the dry season. This will help to save rainwater that would otherwise drain into the sea, and ensure a regular water supply for the villagers.
The water scarcity issue in Nancowry has been a long-standing problem that has plagued the region for years. With the Jal Jeevan Mission and the construction of rainwater harvesting systems and ponds, the region can become self-sufficient in terms of water supply, providing much-needed relief to the villagers who have borne the brunt of the water scarcity problem for far too long.
