Hillocks in Palamu will be counted and surveyed. It is for the purpose to find out as to how many hillocks have velvet cover ( read trees and shrubs) and how many are just bare.
Sources said a tree laden hill has a slow rainwater runoff while a bare and treeless and shrubless hillock has a faster rainwater runoff.
A tree less hillock has deep rain cuts which make this rocky structure brittle over the years.
Sources said the state government is all out for roof top rain water tapping or harvesting but here in this drought hit Palamu where hillocks occupy hundreds of acres have nothing to retain rainwater even when the rain water slides those 100 feet or 150 feet high hillocks as a result rain water just runs off.
DC Palamu Shantanu Kumar Agrahari said, “We will do all to save the rain water runoff from the hillocks. There come rains on it. But not a drop is fond saved. The rain waters slide down from the hillocks and just disappear.”
Hill water conservation appears to be the no nonsense priority of this DC Agrahari who wants to save every ‘drop of it which will create enough avenues for MGNREG labourers by way of digging earthen trenches and seeding on hillocks etc.
The DC further said, “We will first ask our block and circle offices here to list the number of hillocks falling in their block or circle. This is a must.”
He said, “We will then go for its ownership. Hills may be on forest land, gair majrua land or on individual private land. If hillocks are existing on forest land or gair majrua land then it is much easier for its velvety treatment. Forest department will be asked to mend the bare and naked hillocks and dot them with trees.”
“DC further went on to say, “Similar effort will be done for the gair majrua land hill where too its mending can be done by government machinery. ‘
However hill on private land needs to be developed in consultation and permission of the raiyyat reminded DC.
As regards rain water runoff from hillocks DC said he would press in watershed management personnel to do the needful to restrict and contain the rain water runoff from hill.
Rain waters coming down from hillocks on the foot hill is always tremendous and tumultuous and requires effective control of it from being again washed off the ground said DC.
A senior BJP leader Kishore Kumar Pandey said these hillocks should be taken care of from the point of view of tourism as well since once covered with greenery it will be a big attraction to tourists in rural areas where locals can be benefitted by these hillocks’ beauty.