Beas basin to be rejuvenated

Our Correspondent

Hamirpur, August 25

The Beas river basin will be rejuvenated and the Himalayan Forest Research Institute (HFRI) has been entrusted with the task to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) in consultation with stakeholders.

This was stated by Pardeep Thakur, Chief Conservator, Forests (Wildlife), at a workshop organised here on Friday.He said the Beas that originated from the Beas Kund at the Rohtang Pass was a major source of water for districts like Kullu, Mandi, Hamirpur and Kangra in Himachal Pradesh and Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Kapurthala and Amritsar in Punjab. With the change in climate and weather conditions, the flow and water and quality of water in the river had gone down.

Anil Joshi, Conservator, Forests, said identifying topography and potential of biological filters along the catchment area of the Beas basin was the need of the hour. Dr Vinod Dogra from the HFRI said once the DPR would be ready, it would be sent to the Centre for approval and funding. The workshop was attended by experts from various departments, including the PWD, Forest, Irrigation and Public Health.