Ganjam: Fed up with the negligence of the administration, villagers of Damodarpur village under Ganjam NAC have taken up the responsibility of cleaning a lone village pond. As a result, the village pond, which was full of weeds and dirt, is now clean and fresh.
Moreover, the villagers have also cleaned roads and repaired potholes. The villagers took up the cleaning work after the authorities turned deaf ears to their demands.
Without waiting for the panchayat raj body and the block administration to act, the local people, in a show of unity, decided to take up the initiative to improve the environment and sanitation at the village.
The villagers assembled in the pond and cleared all the bushes near the pond. Later, trees were planted in place of the bushes around the pond. This effort of the villagers has received praise from all quarters.
“More than 3,000 depend on the pond for drinking water and bathing purposes. However, it was left in neglect despite repeated demand to clean it up. So, we decided to clean it by ourselves,” the village head said.
“The idea to keep the village clean was mooted during a recent meeting convened to create awareness. People resolved to work together to turn the pond into a healthy and hospitable place,” he added.
“We realised that the village environment had turned unhealthy. The village pond was not in good shape. The water had become contaminated. It was replete with weeds and shrubs. So, we have cleaned it after the authorities did not pay any heed,” said another resident.
It may be noted here that a woman labourer had died in the pond after a brick-laden tractor ferrying her overturned in the pond. Since then, the pond was lying unused. Villagers were sacred to use the water or take bath. However, after a village meeting, the residents decided to clean up the pond and start using it.
“Initially some of the people were hesitant to get involved in the community work. Only a few turned up when the drive was launched. But, after a couple of days, every household took part in the drive. Later, women took the centre-stage spearheading the cleanliness initiative,” said a homemaker.