Saturday, 15 June 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
At a time when most natural water resources and springs in Uttarakhand are drying up amidst an unprecedented heat wave, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that the rivers, rivulets and streams are precious possessions of the State and everyone should work for conservation of water.
The CM was addressing a programme on water conservation at the head of Jolly canal in Doiwala on Friday. In the programme, the CM inaugurated a water conservation project under the Spring and River Rejuvenation Authority (SARRA). The Rs 3.80 Crore project is funded by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
Speaking on the occasion, the CM said that public participation holds the key to the success of water conservation projects. He said that the initiative of water conservation is linked with life and cautioned that life will end with extinction of water.
Dhami said that the water crisis is a global challenge and the water sources are getting destroyed by uncontrolled and unplanned usage of water. The objective of the water conservation week is to create awareness about water management. The CM added that the State government has set up SARRA to strengthen the efforts in the direction of water conservation. He said that 500 drinking water projects and 200 streams will be rejuvenated under the SARRA. The CM expressed concern on reduction in the number of Banj ( Oak) trees in the State which help in water storage in soil due to which incidents of forest fire are increasing. He said that large scale plantation of trees should be done to conserve water and forests for the sake of our future generations. Dhami said that the bank of river Song behind the Kalu Siddh temple will be developed as a tourist spot.
The PWD, irrigation and tourism minister Satpal Maharaj said that the water sources are getting extinct globally due to the phenomenon of climate change. He said that the water conservation project inaugurated by the CM today will provide irrigation facilities for Kaluwala, Badowala, Bharuwala, Bhangnala and Jollygrant villages.
Forest minister Subodh Uniyal said that public participation is necessary for the success of water conservation campaigns.
Doiwala MLA Brij Bhushan Gairola, additional chief secretary Anand Bardhan, Secretaries Shailesh Bagoli, R Rajesh Kumar, additional chief executive officer SARRA Neena Grewal and others attended the programme.
