Chhattisgarh has won awards for the excellent works done for groundwater conservation
Raipur, 23 February .
Effective implementation of State Government’s Narva Development Scheme has transformed the forest region in Chhattisgarh. It is noteworthy that under the Narva development programme, a large number of groundwater conservation related works have been executed at an accelerated pace in the forest region of Chhattisgarh from the CAMPA fund. As a result, the groundwater level in these forest areas has significantly improved, and the forest dwellers now have proper access to the facilities such as drinking water supply, irrigation etc. This initiative is also promoting forest conservation and augmentation related works. Chhattisgarh’s Forest and Climate Change Department has received the ‘scotch award’ for its excellent performance in the category of Environment Conservation.
Construction of more than 1.5 crore structures on 6395 canals in last four years
Under the ambitious Narva Development scheme of the state government, nearly 23 lakh hectares of the catchment areas of 6395 canals in the forest region have been treated and expedited construction of a number of water structures is being done on the same. This includes construction of the following structures for groundwater conservation at cost of more than Rs crore 61 lakh- rush wood check dam, loose boulder check dam, gabbion structure, soil check dam, contour trench, water absorption trench and staggered contour trench. Moreover, structures like lane plug, check dam, stop dam, percolation tank and pond, waterhole etc are also being constructed for water conservation.
Nearly 23 hectares of land in forest region will be treated
On the special initiative of Chief Minister Mr Bhupesh Baghel and under the guidance of forest and climate change Minister Mr Mohammed Akbar, the task of reviving ponds, rivers, and other water resources has been undertaken, with the objective of groundwater conservation and augmentation. For this, 863 canals were selected in year 2019-20, and construction of more than 12 lakh structures was started for the treatment of nearly 5 lakh hectares of land. In the same sequence, construction of total 32 forest circles, one National Park, two tiger reserves, one social garden and one elephant reserve is in progress in the 25 districts of the state at the cost of Rs 160 crore 55 lakh.
Likewise in year 2020-21, 2055 canals were selected and construction of more than 46 lakh structures was started for the treatment of 6 hectares of land. This includes construction of 32 forest circles, two National parks, three tiger reserves and one elephant reserve at the cost of Rs421 crore. In year 2021-22, 1974 canals were selected and construction of more than 73 lakh structures for groundwater conservation was started for the treatment of 5 lakh 70 thousand hectares of land. In the same sequence, construction of 32 forest circles, two National parks, two tiger reserves, one social garden and one elephant reserve is in progress at the cost of more than Rs 407 crore.
Moreover, in year 2022-23, 1503 canals were selected and construction of 29 lakh structures was commenced with the objective to treat more than 6 lakh hectares of land. This includes construction of 32 forest circles, two national parks, 3 tiger reserves and one elephant reserve is in progress.
