To check over-exploitation of water in the dark zone areas of the State, Haryana Government has decided to extensively promote micro irrigation by providing incentives to the farmers.
To begin with, 36 over-exploited blocks have been identified under this initiative in Haryana.
The issue was discussed at a meeting on the ground water status and micro irrigation potential in Haryana held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Manohar lal on Wednesday.
The 36 blocks indentified include 21 which have already been notified and 15 other over-exploited blocks.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister said in the first phase, 36 over-exploited blocks had been identified where the farmers would be encouraged to switch over to micro irrigation to conserve ground water.
later, the remaining blocks would be taken up. In all, there are 64 over-exploited blocks in the state. This shift in the irrigation system would not only help in maintaining eco-balance but also lead to energy conservation, said he.
Manohar lal directed officers of the Agriculture, Horticulture, Irrigation and Power Departments to prepare schemes of their respective departments to provide subsidy to the farmers.
He also directed the officers of the Agriculture and Horticulture Department to identify crops block-wise so that the farmers could earn more with less investment. The farmers should be encouraged to adopt alternate farming rather than traditional farming of rice and wheat.
The 36 blocks include places in district Bhiwani, Fatehabad, Kaithal, Kurukshetra, Panipat, Karnal, Mahendergarh.