Check dams and water-filled ponds have drastically changed the picture of the parched Bundelkhand region as the Minor Irrigation department of the Ministry of Jal Shakti has completed the construction of 317 check dams and the renovation of 218 water ponds under the third phase of the Bundelkhand package.

“Due to the construction of new check dams, the agricultural yield has been enhanced in the area. Not only this, the green cover is also increasing around the ponds. Water is being made available to farmers for irrigation and the renovated ponds are quenching the thirst of animals,” a government spokesman said.

He said these rain harvesting structures and the check dam together had also managed to raise the groundwater table, benefitting crop intensification.

The Yogi Adityanath government started a campaign for making water available for drinking as well as irrigation to Bundelkhand, which was suffering from drought under the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party governments. The Minor Irrigation department is working with full force in this regard.

The department has completed the construction of 317 check dams under the scheme against the target of 328. The department has also carried out renovation of 218 ponds against the target of 238. Work on the remaining 20 ponds is also being carried out without any delay.

“The construction of check dams acts as a life saver in drought-prone areas by preventing soil erosion. With the construction of check dams, the problem of drinking water has also reduced along with the problem of irrigation. Now the government is preparing a plan to plant trees around these check dams,” the spokesman said.

The Yogi Adityanath government aims to present Bundelkhand as a model. To achieve this goal, the work of renovation of check dams and ponds is being done at a fast pace in all seven districts of Bundelkhand. The department is also working on a plan to build more check dams there.