Advocates afforestation with Anar Dana to serve dual purpose of Soil/Water Conservation, economic development
RAMBAN: Director (Law & Order), Internal Security-I Division, Union Ministry of Home Affairs and Central Nodal Officer (CNO) for Jal Shakti Abhiyaan (JSA), Catch The Rain (CTR), Nishtha Tiwari, along with Scientist Central Ground Water, Chandreyee De, who are on three day visit to Ramban district, convened a meeting with senior officers of district administration here.
She had a detailed assessment of various crucial aspects of JSA including status of its implementation in the district. She also reviewed the financial and physical progress achieved, so far, in the district under the programme.
She appreciated the efforts of district administration and other stakeholders in effectively implementing the Jal Shakti Abhiyan in the district.
Nishtha Tiwari asked the stakeholders to understand the need for water conservation, its judicious use, protection of water sources and rain water harvesting to make safe and sufficient water available for our future generations.
She stressed on coordination of stakeholders with defined SOPs and nodal point (Single point of contact) which is crucial for thorough implementation of Water Conservation Plan and protection of environment.
She asked for geo-tagging of all water bodies and Amrit Sarovars in the district. She also asked the officers for disseminating success stories of water conservation from the district showcasing utilisation of rain water and kitchen water for agriculture, kitchen gardening, and other purposes.
Recognizing huge potential of Anar Dana in the district, she asked the forest department to take up afforestation with this product which can serve dual purpose of soil and water conservation besides facilitating economic growth of the nearby people.
District Development Commissioner Ramban, Mussarat Islam, presented a detailed report on steps being taken up by the district administration to harvest the rain water and recharge ground water in the district in order to come out of the present status of water stressed district.
He informed that Jal Shakti Kendra is functioning from DC office Complex and water conservation plan is operational in the district.
DC further informed that the district has 57738 households and 48.56% of them are being provided FHTCs under JJM. Besides, there are 88 ongoing projects under JJM in the district to provide safe drinking and tapped water to every household in the district.
He said the district has restored and created numerous new water harvesting structures under RDD, IWMP, Horticulture, Soil Conservation, Agriculture, Jal Shakti, Forest and other departments. Furthermore, 107 Amrit Sarovars have been constructed in the district during last financial year to conserve water and recharge ground water along with the protection of fragile ecosystem of the region.
He apprised that extensive awareness campaigns are being run in schools, villages, public places, Block Diwas programs, Gram Sabhas and Pani Simitis to imbibe in them the habit of water conservation. Besides, print, electronic and social media platforms are being used to spread the information among the masses.
DC added that forest department has conducted extensive plantation drive in the district under Mission LiFE and other schemes and has planted near about five lakh of saplings in the district.
Pertinently, Jal Shakti Abhiyan is a flagship program of Government of India focused on ensuring water security and conservation in the country. The program aims to raise awareness about the importance of water conservation, promote water harvesting, and improve infrastructure for water storage and distribution.
Among others the meeting was attended by Superintendent Engineer Hydraulic Circle Doda, CPO, ACR Ramban, ACD, CAO, CHO, CAHO, CMO, DFOs, Executive Engineer Jal Shakti and concerned district officers.