Mangaluru : Water literacy campaign has got a push in the district with the motivators (prerepakaru) appointed for each of 230 gram panchayats. A workshop titled ‘Prerana’ was conducted at ZP hall here on Wednesday, to inspire the motivators to take the campaign forward.

Addressing a gathering during the workshop, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer M R Ravi said the campaign had stopped in 2009 and has been resumed, taking the number of motivators from 50 to 230.

Though it’s not a government job, they are tasked with responsibilities to tap into water resources in a natural manner, he said. He said the campaign assumes significance with Mangaluru and Bantwal taluks in the district declared as drought-hit.

Ravi exuded confidence over the success of campaign as the district has already been logging progress in checking open defecation.

Pathunni, a senior citizen woman from Edur Padavu near Moodshedde, shared her experience as a motivator. Santosh Kumar, head master at the government school in Naringana, recalled his experience in conservation of water, involving students.

Earlier, former ombudsman Sheena Shetty, advised the participants to make judicious use of available resources in conservation of water.

ZP president Meenakshi Shantigodu inaugurated the workshop.