ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Research Centre, Ballari, has organized a programme of Clean Drinking Water Plant (1000 LPH Capacity) inauguration and Kisan Ghosthi at Hanumapura village on 27.01.2021 which was constructed under TSP programme in collaboration with Ashok Siddapura Village Panchayat and people participation. The programme was preceded by Head of Centre Dr. S L Patil and Sh. Prakash, Executive officer, Molakalmuru Taluk graced occasion as Chief Guest.

The Clean Drinking Water unit at Hanumapura was constructed after a thorough assessment of safe drinking water need in the village for addressing the problem of high level fluoride and other minerals in the drinking water. Place for construction of the unit has been provided by Lower Primary school in the village and Ashok Siddapura Gram Panchayat extended financial assistant for shelter construction (under 15th financial development fund). Further, cost of pipelines and plumbing works were arranged through contribution from villagers. ICAR-IISWC, RC, Ballari provided purifier unit (costing ₹ 2,39,500/-).

The unit will dispense safe drinking water for 500 tribal people residing in the village and avoids travelling six to eight kilometers for fetching drinking water from far-flung villages. Additionally, it is expected that, this unit is going to serve drinking water needs of another two villages. The unit was inaugurated for public utility by Dr. S L Patil and Sh. Prakash by cutting inaugural-ribbon and running water plant by using dual dispense payment facility, provided in the unit (coin and water ATM cards).

Sh. Eshwarappa, Head Master of the School in the village and Kiran Kumar, Cluster Resource Person from Education department, Sh. Maranna, PDO and Sh. Siddesh, SDA, Ashok Siddapura Gram Panchayat, Sh. D. S. Parameshwarappa, village Head & Sh. S. Hanumanthappa, village youth leader and men, women and children of the villages were actively participated in the event. Speaking to villagers Head of the centre, Dr. S L Patil called for unity among the villagers in protecting and maintaining the water plant, as their own asset and for their own benefits for long period.

Further, Kissan ghosthi event was organized on the sideline of the inauguration function to address the general soil and water conservation problems faced by the farmers and to facilitate farmer-scientist-State Government officials interaction to plan for future collaborations and priorities and problems faced by the tribal farmers.

The centre scientists Dr. S L Patil, Head of Centre., Dr. B S Naik, Sr. Sci. (SWCE)., Mr. Ramesha, M N, Sci. (Forestry)., Dr. Ravi Dupdal, Sci. (Agril Economics) and Mr. Ravi K N, Sci. (Agri. Extension) & Nodal officer (TSP) are recorded the issues, suggested and motivated the farmers in their respective field of specialization. The Executive officer, Panchayath PDO, SDA and other local officials were also interacted and noted the issues for further perseverance. The programme was coordinated by Mr. Ravi K N, Sci. (Agri. Extension) with the help of village Head Sh. Prameshwarappa and Kissan ghosthi event was organized and moderated by the Mr. Ramesha, M N. Sci. (Forestry), Research Centre, Ballari.