*Expressing strong displeasure over not receiving action plan from districts regarding rejuvenation of water sources, streams and rivers in Uttarakhand, Chief Secretary Smt. Radha Raturi has given one week deadline to District Magistrates in this regard*

Expressing strong displeasure over not receiving action plan from districts regarding rejuvenation of water sources,springs, streams and rivers in Uttarakhand, Chief Secretary Smt. Radha Raturi has given one week deadline to District Magistrates in this regard. Considering the seriousness of the matter, CS has directed the District Magistrates to immediately deploy a full-time dedicated Nodal Officer in the district for this work. Chief Secretary has also directed the District Magistrates to immediately hold a meeting of District Level Spring and River Rejuvenation Authority (SARRA) within three days. She has directed to prominently connect the Chief Development Officer with this campaign.CS directed the Additional Chief Secretary Finance to issue a letter to hold a meeting regarding funding utilization for the rejuvenation of water sources and rivers through MNREGA, NABARD, CAMPA, PMKSY. Chief Secretary Smt. Radha Raturi, in a meeting held at the Secretariat on Wednesday, has directed the concerned officers to work on Holistic and Integrated plan instead of district-wise plan for the rejuvenation of water sources, rivers, tributaries, streams in the state.

In today’s important meeting regarding water conservation in the state, Chief Secretary Smt Radha Raturi has directed the District Magistrates to identify 10 critical drying springs in each block and 20 critical drying water streams / tributaries in the district under Jal Sanrakshan Abhiyan 2024. Along with this, she has directed to make a plan for the rejuvenation of one river in each district under the long term strategy. The Chief Secretary has also directed to work on the action plan for identification and rejuvenation of dried ponds in the plain districts.

It is noteworthy that under the Jal Sanrakshan Abhiyan 2024, at the village level, it has been stated that usually 2 to 3 water sources are available in hilly villages. Targeting the restoration of these water sources, contour trenches and recharge pits can be constructed in the water supply areas of these sources.

Ground water can be recharged through raw ponds, check dams and recharge pits in the plain villages. Chal-Khal can be constructed in forest areas and pasture areas near the villages.

Along with this, under the Jal Sanrakshan Abhiyan 2024, it has been stated in the targets that for the treatment of critical water sources at the development block level that for the identification of critical water sources, such drinking water schemes identified by the drinking water department and Jal Sansthan in which excessive reduction in water flow is being observed, can be planned for treatment and the process of implementation can be started. The process of implementation can be started by preparing a plan in the recharge areas of the aquifers identified in the 4 plain districts by the Central Ground Water Board. 145 Critical water sources have been identified for treatment by the Drinking Water Department and Jal Sansthan Department.

Under the Jal Sanrakshan Abhiyan 2024, under the targets of treatment of tributary rivers and streams at the district level, it has been told that many drinking water schemes constructed by the Department of Drinking Water and Water Institute, which are dependent on rain-based tributary rivers / ravines, can be started by preparing a plan for their rejuvenation on priority basis.

Activities can be started by planning and identifying the feed areas based on tributary rivers / streams of various irrigation schemes constructed by the Irrigation and Minor Irrigation Department. If the feed area of ​​​​the above schemes is in the reserved forest, in such a situation, instructions have been given to ensure action by establishing inter-departmental coordination with the Forest Department. 412 tributary rivers / streams and 6 rivers have been identified for treatment by the Drinking Water Department / Water Institute Department.

Additional Chief Secretary Shri Anand Vardhan, Principal Secretary Shri RK Sudhanshu, Secretary Shri Shailesh Bagauli, officers of the concerned departments and all District Magistrates were present in the meeting through virtual medium.