By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 30 Aug: Additional Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan participated in the 11th District and Inter-Departmental Review Meeting of Spring and River Rejuvenation Authority (SARRA), Uttarakhand, at the Secretariat here today.
During the meeting, Bardhan directed all the officers to prepare effective action plans for the conservation and revival of natural water sources like Naulas – Dharas, springs and rivers, etc., and submit the same to the government. He insisted that all the districts and departments should adopt best practices and work on short and long term policies for the conservation of water sources in rural as well as urban areas. He said that work should be done keeping the conservation and revival of extremely important water sources as top priority.
The Additional Chief Secretary stressed on conducting geo-hydrological study of the identified water sources and rivers and that studies done should also be reviewed regularly. He directed all the district officers to get the ground verification of Amrit Sarovars built at various places in the districts done. He said that in case of any problem in the work plans related to Spring and River Rejuvenation Authority (SARRA), the department concerned should be informed immediately. All the related departments should work towards water conservation with mutual cooperation.
Bardhan said that geo-tagging of the works being done under SARRA should be made mandatory. The proposed works should be implemented speedily for groundwater recharge in drought-affected areas. Treatment plans of rain-based tributary rivers/streams should be formulated scientifically, he insisted, adding that continuous maintenance of water sources located in rural areas should also be ensured with community participation.
Additional Chief Executive Officer (SARRA) Neena Grewal said at the meeting that, in the state, treatment activities are being undertaken for 5421 water sources at village level, 929 critical drying water sources at block level, and 292 tributary rivers or streams at district level. Thus, treatment work of a total of 6,350 identified water sources is in progress. She shared that under Jal Sanrakshan Abhiyan 2024, a target has been set to recharge 2.51 million cubic meters of water, against which about 2.38 million cubic meters of water has been recharged.
The Additional Chief Executive Officer further stated that in the schemes formulated by the District Committee, 50 percent will be given as a share provided by SARRA and the remaining 50 percent will be financed by the implementing agency of the departments concerned through convergence. The recharge zone / area of critical water sources will be determined only after geo-hydrological study. She also claimed that SARRA is working in collaboration with Drinking Water Corporation, Jal Sansthan, Irrigation, Minor Irrigation, Forest Department and Rural Development Department for identification and treatment of critical water sources.
On this occasion, Additional Secretary Namami Bansal, Additional Secretary Ranveer Singh Chauhan, District Magistrates of various districts and other officers were present through virtual medium.
