Haryana Chief Minister Manohar lal on Thursday directed the officials concerned to get a survey conducted for construction of mini dams in Shivalik area to ensure maximum storage of water.
The Chief Minister, who was presiding over a review meeting on water storage structures in Shivalik areas said that, if necessary the forest area of adjoining Himachal Pradesh could be utilised for storage of water. Both the Chief Ministers have had a talk over this and Himachal Chief Minister has assured cooperation for the same.
Manohar lal also suggested that while constructing such dams, opinion of sarpanches and other representatives of adjoining villages might also be taken. The Chief Minister said that during rainy season, huge quantity of water gets wasted in Shivalik hills of Panchkula, Yamunanagar and Ambala districts.
“Although small check-dams have been constructed for storage of water by Forest, Agriculture and Irrigation Departments, more mini-dams should be constructed wherever required so as to meet the demand of drinking water, irrigation purposes and recharge of groundwater”, he said.
In case, they find that such dams could be constructed in adjoining State of Himachal Pradesh, this matter could be taken up with the Government of that State. “These dams could prove beneficial for Haryana,” he added.
The Chief Minister also directed the officers to explore the possibility of constructing such mini dams in Morni area of Panchkula district.
This would not only provide adequate water for the people of the area but would also promote tourism.
During the meeting, Principal Secretary Forest, Amit Jha informed that about 20 years back, 234 mini dams were constructed at a cost of Rs61 crore for storage of water in Shivalik area. Out of the total, 142 mini dams were built in Panchkula, 82 in Yamunanagar and 10 in Ambala. “Now, the Department has identified 125 new sites for construction of similar dams”, he informed.