Groundwater level up at 6,014 villages in MP

Bhopal, Nov 6 (UNI) Groundwater level has risen in 6,014 villages of Madhya Pradesh and rural livelihood witnessed qualitative improvement courtesy schemes managed under the Rajiv Gandhi Watershed Management Mission, official sources claimed.

A sum of Rs 8 crore were spent thus far under the Mission this fiscal. Availability of water resource for irrigation, potable water, agricultural production, fodder and fuel improved over 42.96 lakh hectares.

Area under kharif crop went up by 22.44 per cent, kharif output was enhanced by 36.73 per cent while irrigated area increased by 36 per cent. The corresponding figures for the rabi crop were 49.20, 36 and 46.89.

Summer crop area shot up by 94.59 per cent, output by 12.49 per cent and irrigated area by 85 per cent. The percentage of wells and tubewells that dried up in summer declined by 38.5 per cent and 41 per cent respectively.

Perennial availability of water was ensured in 67.62 per cent wells while the percentage of such tubewells shot up by 83.14.

UNI