Ramban, June 11: Director (Law & Order), Internal Security-I Division, Union Ministry of Home Affairs and Central Nodal Officer (CNO) for Jal Shakti Abhiyaan (JSA), Catch The Rain (CTR), Nishtha Tiwari, along with Scientist Central Ground Water, Chandreyee De, who are on a three-day visit to Ramban district, convened a meeting with senior officers of district administration here.
She had a detailed assessment of various crucial aspects of JSA including the status of its implementation in the district. She also reviewed the financial and physical progress achieved, so far, in the district under the programme. She appreciated the efforts of district administration and other stakeholders in effectively implementing the Jal Shakti Abhiyan in the district.
Nishtha Tiwari asked the stakeholders to understand the need for water conservation, its judicious use, protection of water sources and rainwater harvesting to make safe and sufficient water available for our future generations. She stressed on coordination of stakeholders with defined SOPs and nodal points (Single point of contact) which is crucial for the thorough implementation of the Water Conservation Plan and the protection of the environment.
The officer asked for geo-tagging of all water bodies and Amrit Sarovars in the district. She also asked the officers for disseminating success stories of water conservation from the district showcasing utilisation of rainwater and kitchen water for agriculture, kitchen gardening, and other purposes.
Recognizing the huge potential of Anar Dana in the district, she asked the forest department to take up afforestation with this product which can serve the dual purpose of soil and water conservation besides facilitating the economic growth of the nearby people.
District Development Commissioner Ramban, Mussarat Islam, presented a detailed report on steps being taken up by the district administration to harvest the rainwater and recharge groundwater in the district in order to come out of the present status of water-stressed district. He informed that Jal Shakti Kendra is functioning from DC office Complex and the water conservation plan is operational in the district.
DC further informed that the district has 57738 households and 48.56% of them are being provided FHTCs under JJM. Besides, there are 88 ongoing projects under JJM in the district to provide safe drinking and tap water to every household in the district.
He said the district has restored and created numerous new water harvesting structures under RDD, IWMP, Horticulture, Soil Conservation, Agriculture, Jal Shakti, Forest and other departments. Furthermore, 107 Amrit Sarovars have been constructed in the district during the last financial year to conserve water and recharge groundwater along with the protection of the fragile ecosystem of the region.
