Saturday, 31 AUGUST 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The additional chief secretary (ACS) Anand Bardhan has directed the officers to undertake geo-hydrological studies of the water bodies earmarked for rejuvenation by the Springs and River Rejuvenation Authority (SARRA). The ACS issued this direction while presiding over the 11th district and inter departmental review meeting of SARRA at the secretariat on Friday.
Bardhan directed all the officers to prepare better and effective action plans for the conservation and revival of natural water sources, canals, streams and rivers and send them to the government. He said that all districts and departments should adopt best practices and make water resources in rural areas more efficient. The ACS added that conservation and revival of water sources is of utmost importance. He directed all the district officers to get the physical verification of Amrit Sarovars being constructed in their areas. The ACS said that geo-tagging of the works being done under SARRA should be made mandatory. He said that the proposed works should be implemented quickly in view of groundwater recharge in drought-prone areas. He said that treatment plans of rivers and streams should be done using scientific methods and proper maintenance of water sources in rural areas should be ensured with community participation.
The additional chief executive officer (ACEO) of SARRA, Neena Grewal informed that the authority has identified 5,421 water sources at village level, 929 critical drying water sources at development block level, and 292 tributary rivers and streams at the district level. She informed that under the water conservation campaign 2024, a target to recharge 2.51 million cubic meters of water has been taken.
Grewal said that in the schemes proposed by the district committees, SARRA will provide 50 per cent of the budget and remaining 50 per cent will be financed by the concerned implementing agency or departments. The ACEO further informed that about 500 water sources have been identified by Jal Sansthan and Peyjal Nigam for drinking water supply.
Additional secretaries Namami Bansal, Ranveer Singh Chauhan attended the meeting along with district level officers who were present online.
