Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Saturday said that water conservation without public participation is a farce and it is impossible to save water without involvement of masses. Water is a precious resource and water accumulation, preservation and management can be realised by spreading awareness among public, he said.
The CM, while addressing a conclave on water harvesting and conservation in Ranchi said that Jharkhand Government has already had an inkling of the water crisis, hence it took initiative under ‘Yojna Banao Abhiyaan’ and emphasised on water conservation campaigns. In this regard Government's efforts key is “Khet ka paani khet mein aur gaon ka pani gaon mein (Field’s water in the fields and villages’ water in the villages)”.
To conserve water, the Jharkhand Government has already started to work and under ‘Yojna Banao Abhiyaan’ where one lakh farm ponds (DHOBAS) will be dug in the State by June 15, 2016. Under this campaign 5 lakh farm ponds (DHOBAS) will take shape in the current year, he said. While elaborating Jharkhand Government’s efforts for water conservation Das said, “Renovation of more than 2,000 ponds and deepening work of nine big water reservoirs is going on.”
The CM further said, “Now water looks accessible and cheaper but if steps for its conservation is not taken on time water will not be an easy commodity. Citing existing water scarcity of latur, Das said, “locals of latur ignored the need of water conservation and now they are facing consequences. All of us should take initiative for water conservation with different methods because water is not only life line of human beings but also the industries and agri works have no scene without water.” He called upon the Industrial fraternity to come forward for water conservation.
Trees are tied to the soil and keep its fossils alive; keeping this in mind Government is going to launch a plantation drive from July 15, 2016. Under this drive one crore saplings plantation is targeted, said the CM. Government has planned plantation of 4 fruit saplings on each farm Pond(DOBHA) further added Das. He called upon the masses to participate in this drive of plantation and water conservation.
Minister for Food and Civil Supply Saryu Roy, Urban Development Minister CP Singh, Padma Shri Ashok Bhagat, Padma Shri Simon Oran, renowned environmentalist Rajendra Singh, Ayppa Masagai and other dignitaries participated in the conclave.