Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Wednesday inaugurated groundwater conservation works on Jaitrani Nala in Jogisar gram panchayat in Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi district.
The conservation works have come up under Narva Vikas Yojana at the cost of Rs 4.99 crores, sanctioned from CAMPA fund.
He also inspected a stop dam built under the Yojana for Rs 36 lakhs, also at Jaitrani Nala.
Baghel earlier left Janjgir-Champa district via helicopter and reached Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi district at 1 pm.
On the occasion, Assembly Speaker Dr Charan Das Mahant, MP Jyotsana Mahant and Revenue Minister Jai Singh Agrawal were present.
Farmers Shobharam Oraon, Uday Gond, Shankar Gond, Thakur Bhanu and Mahesh Singh Rajput told the Chief Minister that ever since the stop dams came up, they get water from the rivulet round the year.
So, their pets don't wander for water and wild animals no more enter the village, making rural life safe.
Baghel told the villagers that the government is reviving Narva (small and big drains) through water conservation and augmentation works. This will increase the availability of water, improve ground water level and maintain the soil moisture, which will boost agriculture.
He asked the villagers to plant fruitful and shady plants along the banks of the Nalas. Plantation of fruit trees on the banks of the stream will provide food for animals, resultantly they will not come to the village.