Excess water from Chiksana canal to flow into Keoladeo

Bharatpur, Jun 9 (UNI) Keoladeo National Park (KNP), reeling under acute water shortage, may soon get a fresh infusion of water from the Chiksana canal.

A three km long and six feet wide diversion canal is being dug up to let the excess water from Chiksana canal flow into the water bodies of KNP.

PHED's junior engineer Rajveer Singh said if the region experiences good rainfall this monsoon, the lakes of KNP are likely to be filled up, thus saving this unique bird sanctuary from extinction. A good monsoon will ensure 100 mc feet water in KNP water bodies, whose actual requirement is 500 mcft.

The state government has cleared a Rs 50 lakh project to bring water to KNP from Chiksana canal. Mr Singh said connecting canal between KNP and Chiksana is now under construction and is expected to be completed within June 20.

The excess water during monsoon flows into Uttar Pradesh, will now be diverted to lakes of KNP, through diversion canal.The water bodies were earlier spread over 11 square km of the park, which have dried up and now only 8 sq km water bodies remain.

The delay in water supply to KNP would prove disastrous for bird habitat and the fragile eco-system.

UNI