PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
Uttarakhand government has entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Jal Jeevan Mission, Union Jal Shakti ministry for the execution of Jal Jeevan Mission II in the State.
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated virtually in the MoU signing programme held in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Expressing gratitude to the Union Jal Shakti minister CR Patil, CM Dhami said that this MoU will prove helpful in giving new impetus to the works of Jal Jeevan Mission in Uttarakhand. He said that in a mountainous and border State like Uttarakhand, Jal Jeevan Mission is not just a government programme but an important campaign related to the life, health and convenience of about 14 lakh rural families. Dhami said that nearly 16,500 schemes have been approved under the Jal Jeevan Mission in the State. Most of the schemes have been completed and work on the remaining schemes is progressing rapidly.
The CM said that Uttarakhand is a State with challenging geographical conditions. He said that due to the difficult mountainous terrain, remote villages, landslides and disaster vulnerability, implementing schemes in Uttarakhand is more complex than in other states. He claimed that continuous efforts are being made towards the long-term conservation of the Himalayas through digital monitoring systems, glacier research centres, water source conservation campaigns and public participation.
The CM added that the Spring and River Rejuvenation Authority (SARA) has been formed in the State to conserve traditional water sources like springs, streams and rain-fed rivers. He said that in the last one year the work of conservation and treatment of more than 6,500 water sources in the State has been successfully completed under SARA. The CM claimed that approximately 35 lakh million cubic metres of rainwater has been harvested.
Union Jal Shakti Minister Patil praised the State government’s work toward rejuvenating water sources and rivers through SARA and reviving ponds in 1,000 villages under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan.
