Director (Law & Order), Internal Security-I Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, 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 3-day visit to the Ramban district, chaired a meeting of senior functionaries of the District Administration to review the progress on Jal Shakti Abhiyan here today.
Taking a detailed assessment of crucial aspects of the program, the Director reviewed the JJM implementation and the financial and physical progress achieved so far in the district. Directing the concerned to formulate district Level Water Conservation Plan under ‘Catch the Rain’ of all concerned departments, the Director Asked them to submit a detailed report of their respective departments about targets and achievements, besides highlighting shortfalls and limits in their schemes.
She directed them to ensure Geo-tagging of all natural water bodies in their respective jurisdiction to develop them as per the needs of locals. She also reviewed the status of Ground Water recharging, response of villagers and benefits being availed by them from Amrit Sarovars and other developed water bodies. She directed them to ensure cleanliness of Amrit Sarovars and other water bodies to ensure their sustainability and conservation.
The Director directed technical officers to submit a separate report of works taken up, completed and uses of their water and its other benefits to the people. She directed the Executive Engineer for ensuring proper functioning of Jal Shakti Kendra in the district.
Presenting a detailed report on the steps taken by the District Administration to harvest the rainwater and recharge the groundwater in the district, the meeting was informed that as many as 681 springs and 169 nallahs have been tapped as water sources for different Water Supply Schemes under JJM and other schemes.
The officers of the Forest department also briefed the chair about measures taken by the department for afforestation. As many as 16 check dams have been taken up, of which 6 have been completed so far, the meeting was informed and added that the Education Department has also constructed water tanks in various educational institutions under ‘Catch the Rain’ programme.
The District Administration has organized various attractive and informative programmes to sensitize the people about Catch the Rain , where it falls, when it falls, the meeting was informed and added the district administration has restored and created numerous new water harvesting structures under RDD, IWMP, Horticulture, Soil Conservation, Agriculture, Jal Shakti, Forest and other departments. Moreover, 110 Amrit Sarovars have been constructed in the district so far to conserve water and recharge ground water along with the protection of the fragile ecosystem of the region.
Among others, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Harbans Lal, Chief Planning Officer, Dr. Kasturi Lal, ACD, Ashok Katoch, Divisional Forest Officers, Rajan Singh, and Kuldeep Singh, CAO, Gopal Sharma, CHO, Anil Gorka, Executive Engineers, JSD, Rajiv Ghai and other officers of line departments attended the meeting.