It is a time-bound campaign with a mission-mode approach intended to improve conditions in around 1500 Blocks that are drought affected, water stressed or over-exploited falling in 254 districts with water conservation related central programmes.
DIPR, Manipur
Water Resources and YAS Minister Shri Letpao Haokip launched the Jal Shakti Abhiyaan at NIT Manipur today.
He appealed the people of the state to pledge to plant at least 20 saplings every month without fail as a responsible citizen to combat change and to conserve water resources.
It can be mentioned that the Jal Shakti Abhiyan is a Water Conservation Campaign under the initiative of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation,Government of India.
It is a time-bound campaign with a mission-mode approach intended to improve conditions in around 1500 Blocks that are drought affected, water stressed or over-exploited falling in 254 districts with water conservation related central programmes.
JSA is planned to be carried out in two phases. Phase I will be carried out between July 1 and September 15, 2019 for all states.
Chandel district of Manipur has been included among these for the Phase I. Held at the Seminar Hall of the NIT Campus, Langol, today’s initiation programme was also attended by Prof. (Dr) Goutam Sutradhar, Director of NIT Manipur as the president and Shri Songput N Albert, Chief Engineer of Water Resources Department as the distinguished guest.Giving his chief guest speech,
Shri Letpao Haokip said that incessant felling of trees in almost all the catchment areas of the state has resulted in rain water directly going to the rivers causing high siltation.
Even though the state government has taken up steps to clear siltation of river beds since last year, the result is not all satisfactory, he added. He appealed the public especially the river-bank dwellers to be more responsible environment-wise and not to resort to felling of trees.
The WR Minister further said that felling of trees is higher in hill areas as what concerns to the hill people is not water scarcity or environmental problems but to earn their daily ‘bread and butter’. He appealed the public to abide government land acts and forest laws so that a proper environment can be build up.
Taking the opportunity of the event, Minister Shri Letpao initiated a pledge to all the faculty and staff of the institute to plant 20 saplings each by each one of them every month.
He further appealed to spread this pledge to the rest of the people of Manipur.NIT Director, Prof. Goutam Sutradhar stated that India accounts for 17% of the world population, but when it comes to freshwater resources, the country accounts for only 4% of the world’s freshwater resources.
He added that under this campaign, acivities will be targeted under five (5) areas viz. water conservation and rainwater harvesting; renovation of traditional water bodies/tanks; reuse, bore well recharge structures; watershed development; and intensive afforestation.
WRD Chief Engineer Shri Songput N Albert also spoke about the causes of climate change and why conservation of water resources should be our top priority. He appealed the public not to pass responsibilities but to start the initiative of water conservation and afforestation from oneself.
