IEP Chandigarh, November 26
Haryana Water Resources Authority (HWRA), Chairperson, Smt. Keshni Anand Arora held the virtual meeting with the Deputy Commissioners of Ambala, Bhiwani, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Sonipat and Yamunanagar to review the Districts Water Resources Plan 2022-25 being prepared by all the 22 districts of the State.
The district plans are being prepared with a collaborative interdepartmental approach with the technical guidance and support of the Authority. The plans are focused on the optimal use of water, groundwater recharge, surface water augmentation as well as enhanced use of Treated Waste Water.
The Deputy Commissioners presented their respective district water gap, water availability challenges and corresponding action plan to reduce the water gap in water-depleted areas as well as reclaim waterlogged and saline-affected areas by 45 percent in the next three years (10 percent in 1st year, 15 percent in 2nd year, and 20 percent in 3rd year) were discussed and reviewed in great detail.
Smt. Keshni Anand Arora said that these plans have highlighted the specific water issues of each block which would help them in devising precise interventions which are needed to address the water problems. She highlighted that based on the District plans, the State Water Plan is being prepared for consideration and approval. This is the first of its kind initiative in the entire country where an integrated block-level water planning and strategy is being formulated.
Smt. Arora emphasized that there is a need to innovate solutions that are smarter, less expensive, more robust, and ecologically conscious. She encouraged the districts to think of innovative projects which the Authority would be happy to provide funds for.
Additional Chief Secretary, Development and Panchayats Department, Sh. Anil Malik apprised that there are about 19000 ponds mapped in the entire state by the Haryana Pond Authority. However, not all of them are clean and good for any use. Pond rejuvenation presents great potential for the storage of water as well recharge of aquifers. This must be considered in the action plan of the districts. Sh. D Suresh, PS Fisheries, suggested promoting shrimp and other saline fisheries cultivation in the areas affected by salinity and gave his full support in implementing such projects.
Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. V. Umashankar appreciated the efforts in putting together a comprehensive and integrated water plan. He said that the action plans should be well thought out, implementable as well as monitorable.
Sh. Pankaj Aggarwal, Commissioner, Irrigation and Water Resources Department directed the Deputy Commissioners to propose and include innovative projects for water conservation in the upcoming Haryana Drought Relief and Flood Control Board Meeting to be held under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister.
It was proposed that introduction of Conservation Tillage in Agriculture could be an important water-saving activity for the State. Director of Agriculture, Sh. Hardeep Singh agreed to promote this activity by introducing a new scheme on incentivizing the farmers to adopt the same.
