The Dholakia Foundation has collaborated with the Government of Gujarat to inaugurate Jal Utsav (water festival) in keeping with its mission to inspire, celebrate, and demonstrate the model work of water conservation. Gujarat Governor Shri Acharya Devvrat and Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the festival at Het Ni Haveli, Lathi-Dudhala in Amreli, Gujarat on 17th November.
The Jal Utsav has attractions like thrilling water sports activities, paramotoring, a horse show, cultural evenings and other attractions spread around serene Lake Side Tent accommodations. The event witnessed an impressive turnout of approximately 9,000 participants on the first day.
The foundation stone laying ceremony of check dams took place at trijunction of Bhesan, Bodiya, and Sanaliya Villages by the Governor and the Chief Minister. Also present at the event were Cabinet Minister of Water resources Shri Kunvarji Bavaliya and Minister of Tourism Shri Mulubhai Bera and Dholakia Foundation Chairman Shri Savjibhai Dholakia. The check dams aim to increase the storage of water during the monsoon season, furthering Dholakia Foundation’s efforts to rejuvenate the river. The Chief Minister and Governor also inaugurated a Botanical Garden named “Amrit Van” which boasts over 26,000 plant species.
Shri Bhupendra Patel commented, “In Saurashtra, almost everyone is experiencing water scarcity. However today in this region with high salinity, the lakes are full with rainwater, thanks to a splendid initiative by the State Government and the Dholakia Foundation.”
Dholakia Foundation has developed over 140 lakes in water-scarce areas of Gujarat, storing more than 15 billion litres of water and benefiting almost 300,000 local residents. The United Nations has recognised the foundation’s work as a partner to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.