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Dipender Manta
Tribune News Service
Mandi, July 22
To deal with water crisis in cold desert, the state government is planning snow harvesting in the tribal district Lahaul-Spiti. Under the plan, water will be conserved for agriculture use. The district witnesses scarcity of water during summer season. The residents find it difficult to meet the demand of water for irrigation purpose because Lahaul-Spiti receives less rain as compared to other parts of the state.
Known as cold desert, Lahaul-Spiti remains under cover of snow for five months during winter season and people get limited time to do cultivation of crops. A majority of farmers in the district are engaged in vegetable cultivation, which requires sufficient water supply for irrigation purpose for better crop. In case of short of rainfall, they face severe difficulty in meeting water demand for agriculture use.
The people of the district had been demanding this project since long, which, they believe, will go a long way in boosting agriculture produce in the district.
Talking to The Tribune Agriculture Minister Ram Lal Markanda said, “To deal with water crisis in the district, the state government is mulling setting up a snow harvesting project in Lahaul and Spiti. I have directed the XEN of Irrigation and Public Health Department to conduct a survey for this project with the help of SASE (Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment Authority) to identify those places in the district, where snow harvesting project could be set up for water storage.”
“There is a proposal to set up snow harvesting project at Lapshak and Trilokinath villages. However, the cost of project and final decision to set up the project will be taken after survey report. Thereafter, the DPR of snow harvesting project will be prepared,” he remarked.
The residents of district said the state government should work on this project on priority as this will give big boost to agriculture in the near future.
Snow harvesting precipitation involves collection, concentration and storage of both rain and snow from various sources.
The harvesting of rainwater and snow can provide water for regions where other sources are far away or too costly, or where other methods of water collection are impractical because of unfavourable geology. According to experts, rain water and snow harvesting are possible in areas which receive as little as 50-80 mm of rainfall.
Possible in areas with 50-80 mm rain
The harvesting of rainwater and snow can provide water for regions where other sources are far away or too costly, or where other methods of water collection are impractical because of unfavourable geology. According to experts, rain water and snow harvesting are possible in areas which receive as little as 50-80 mm of rainfall.
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