PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami instructed officials to ensure that all works related to river protection and desilting are completed before the advent of the monsoon to minimise the risk of flooding. The CM issued these directions while chairing a meeting held in the secretariat on Friday to review the progress of river protection work and desilting under irrigation projects.
Officials informed in the meeting that the construction of check dams, recharge shafts and ponds is being carried out by the Minor Irrigation Department under water conservation, promotion and replenishment schemes. The department has constructed 708 check dams in the State so far. A total of 419 recharge shafts have been established by the department in Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital and Haridwar, which will enable the recharging of upto 108.94 crore litres of groundwater annually. Officials further stated that water conservation works for the treatment of 14 water sources are being carried out through the Drinking Water department and Stream and River Rejuvenation Authority (SARRA) in nine forest divisions. Additionally, 247 streams are being treated in various forest divisions under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Manage and Planning Authority (CAMPA), officials said.
Dhami directed the Forest department to ensure full preparations for the prevention of forest fires. He said that the availability of necessary equipment along with human resources should be ensured for forest fire prevention. The CM further said that the department should maintain regular coordination with Van Panchayats and people living near forest areas. Those doing commendable work in the field of forest conservation should be encouraged and fire lines should be cleaned in a timely manner. Additionally, the removal of encroachment on forest land should be addressed as a top priority, he added.
