Rs 64 cr project for conservation of rain water in Punjab

Amritsar, Feb 17 (PTI) The Centre today announced a Rs 64crore pilot project for conservation of rain water, soil,vegetation and livelihood for seven districts of Punjab.

The pilot project has been sanctioned by the UnionGovernment for seven districts which include Tarn Taran,Jalandhar, Ludhina and Faridkot, Union Minister of State forScience and Technology Ashwani Kumar told reporters during hisvisit to the border district of Tarn Taran, about 30 km fromhere.

In addition, watershed management programmes have alsobeen sanctioned for conservation of rain water, soil,vegetation and livelihood in Kandi area of Hoshiarpur, Ropar,Gurdaspur and Nawan Shahar, he said.

The Rs 64 crore project will have 90 per cent fundingfrom the Centre while the rest will be shared by the State,the minister said.

"Based upon consideration of views obtained from farmers,panchayat members and district and state officials, who arethe primary stakeholders, the programme could be extended tothe entire state subsequently," Kumar said.

He said most rural households in Punjab were installing1.2 Horse Power motors, overhead tanks, latrine flush systemand effluents were being discharged into village ponds orsewage tanks, which are expected to receive increasing amountof run off due to replacement of mud houses with pakka houses,pavement of the lanes, courtyards etc.

Therefore, there was need for proper management ofuntreated domestic effluents, he said.

"Roof water harvesting of common buildings likes schools,colleges, religious premises, etc. and recharging throughshafts could also be prioritised to prevent further decline inthe ground water table and prevent its over exploitation,"Kumar pointed out.