Delhi Government Signs MoU With IGL For Rainwater Harvesting In 75 CM Shri Schools
The Delhi government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Friday with Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) and the Ehsaas NGO to install and restore modern rainwater harvesting systems in 75 CM Shri Schools across Delhi. The initiative, launched under the 'Catch the Rain' campaign, aims to promote sustainable water management and conservation in government-run schools.
The project will be funded by IGL under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. The scope of work includes conducting technical audits, restoring existing rainwater harvesting systems, and installing new rooftop rainwater harvesting systems. Additionally, the project will fund water conservation awareness programmes for both students and teachers.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta highlighted the importance of the initiative, stating that water conservation is not merely an environmental necessity but the foundation of a secure future for coming generations. She noted that the government is promoting education and environmental conservation together, marking an important step towards sustainable water management in government schools.
Gupta also expressed hope that the model would not remain limited to the initial 75 CM Shri Schools. She stated that the government plans to eventually expand this rainwater harvesting model to nearly 800 Delhi government schools.
Under the agreement, the Ehsaas NGO will implement the physical works on the ground, while the Directorate of Education will provide administrative support and take over the maintenance of the systems after completion. IGL will provide the necessary financial backing. Officials estimated that the project will enable the recharge of approximately two lakh litres of groundwater annually in each school.
Education Minister Ashish Sood said the 'Catch the Rain' campaign would encourage responsibility towards water conservation among students. He added that the initiative supports the Delhi government’s ultimate goal of converting all 1,000 government schools in the city into zero waste campuses.
