Govt to tap flood waters of Yamuna to save Keoladeo Park

Jaipur, May 15 (UNI) The world famous Keoladeo bird sanctury, the major winter destination for a large number of aquatic birds, has some good news to cheer about to rid of its ''years old'' sufferings of acute shortage of water.

The Rajasthan government has decided to lay a 16-km pipeline from Govardhan Nahar upto Ghana and tap 350 MCFT of flood water flowing down to Uttar Pradesh through Yamuna river to the parched sanctury. The project will cost Rs 60 crore.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of Additional Chief Secretary D C Sawant with Irrigation and Forest Department officials a few days ago.

According to principal secretary S N Dhanvi, the Irrigation Department would lay the pipeline work while the Forest Department had been entrusted with the task of maintenance of the lines.

Deputy Chief wildlife warden and in charge of the park, Sunyan Sharma, said the pipeline would be able to harness the flood water in Yamuna flowing to Uttar Pradesh.

The government will approach NABARD for a loan to finance the project. Sources said the task force, constituted under Mr V P Singh (MP) has also recommended the laying of the pipeline as a solution to address the water problem in the sanctury.

UNI