HP to develop 45 watersheds in 11th plan

Shimla, Jul 20 (UNI) A sum of Rs 225 lakh will be spent on developing 45 watersheds in about 23,000 hectare area of the state during the eleventh five year plan, state agriculture director J C Rana today said.

Speaking at the one day oreintation programme here, he said land, water, forests, climate and organisms are natural resources which are inter-dependent and change in their natural balance effects the environment.

These resources have to be harvested in a sustainable manner, he said, adding that for the management of natural resources, the Agriculture Department was implementing the National Watershed Development Programme for the rainfed areas.

Mr Rana said the objective of this project is to conserve the natural resources in moisture conservation, production improvement activities for enhancement of self-employment opportunities for landowners and livelihood support for landless families, he said.

Project implementing officers from different districts are participating in the orientation programme, he added.

UNI