Haryana bags second position in Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Chief Secy
- August 02, 2024
- Updated: 02:22 am
DW BUREAU / Chandigarh
Haryana Chief Secretary TVSN Prasad while presiding over a review meeting of 'Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain-2024' with the Deputy Commissioners via video conferencing here today shared that the state has secured the second position nationwide in the implementation of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan-2023, led by the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti.
In the meeting, it was shared that over 65,000 rainwater conservation structures have been constructed across the state under the 'Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain' initiative to promote groundwater recharge.
Additionally, 18,104 reservoirs have been geo-tagged. Among these, 852 reservoirs have been renovated, and 1,152 reservoirs are currently undergoing restoration. The campaign has also led to the construction of over 40,000 reuse and recharge structures, 10,000 watershed development structures, and the planting of more than 3.5 crore trees.
The Chief Secretary further shared that approximately 70,000 training programs and farmers' fairs have been organized to raise awareness about water conservation among farmers and the general public. Furthermore, water resource centers have been established in all districts, and district-specific water conservation plans have been developed to promote sustainable water management.
The results of 'Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain' have been highly impressive. Due to this campaign, the water level increased by approximately 1.3 meters in 12 districts in 2023, by 0.58 meters in 19 districts in 2022, and by 0.57 meters in 7 districts in 2021, shared Sh. TVSN Prasad. The Chief Secretary said that priority should be given to the scientific afforestation in the spring shed areas of the ten designated districts: Jind, Fatehabad, Sirsa, Kurukshetra, Panipat, Mahendragarh, Rewari, Kaithal, Gurugram, and Faridabad.
He directed the officers concerned for the establishment of rainwater harvesting systems on government buildings and forest lands and the improvement of water sources wherever technically feasible. The Chief Secretary further shared that the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, through 'Mera Yuva Bharat' volunteers, will focus on awareness campaigns, and the Department of Forests and Wildlife and Environment will concentrate on water conservation.
(editor@dailyworld.in)
