20 spots identified for check dams

Our Correspondent

Nurpur, September 4

A joint inspection team, comprising officials and experts from various government departments, has identified 20 locations in 15 gram panchayats in the Nurpur development block for the construction of check dams.

The check dams have been proposed to tap natural water resources and to ensure rainwater harvesting round the year.

As per the official information, the Nurpur area comprises over 100 streams, ‘khuds’ and water bodies that overflow during the monsoon and their water gets wasted. Following an initiative by Forest, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Rakesh Pathania, a proposal for the check-dam project is being mooted to check the wastage of water from overflowing water bodies.

Notable, the underground water level in the neighbouring Indora development block depleted drastically in the past decade and the state government had launched an awareness drive to improve the situation.

Under the proposal, each check dam will benefit at least five villages and cover 25 hectares.

Nurpur SDM Surinder Thakur presided over a review meeting of all stakeholders for the proposed project yesterday evening. Officials from agriculture, horticulture, revenue, soil conservation and Jal Shakti departments and other beneficiaries were part of the meeting.

The SDM told The Tribune that the intra-department meeting was convened to expedite the ongoing reveiw work on the check-dam project. He said soon, a detailed project report (DPR) would be prepared. On the occasion, technical consultant HR Sharma also addressed the stakeholders.

Meanwhile, Rakesh Pathania asserted that the check-dam project would bring about revolutionary changes in agriculture and horticulture and support economic growth of farmers. He said the project would also revive drinking water and irrigation schemes in the area.