Jal Shakti campaign reviewed

Anantapur: A 3-member Jal Shakti Abhiyan Central team headed by Joint Secretary L S Changsan is on a visit to the district to inspect the revival of several water bodies and conservation initiatives by district administration and DWMA in particular in the conservation campaign.

Speaking to reporters at the Collector's conference hall here on Saturday, Changsan said that the Jal Shakti-water conservation campaign has been launched in 26 water stressed mandals with five major intervention areas including construction of conservation infrastructure platforms, recharging of water bodies, renovation and revival of check dams etc and promoting afforestation.

These initiatives are being implemented with the close involvement of district administration. The district, she said, has ancient water bodies and village tanks constructed during Emperor Srikrishnadevaraya period.

The campaign involves convergence of Central and State governments and should result in increase in groundwater levels and boost green cover. Asked whether the Centre is thinking of penalising stakeholders, who does not contribute to water conservation by creating water harvesting infrastructures etc, Changsan said that the Centre would apply its mind on the suggestion.

The official said that she had seen a paradox in the district where in one part of the district, paddy is being grown which is a water intensive crop while in another part there are signs of desertification. Millets, she said, should be promoted as part of crop diversification.

A reporter suggested that millets and not rice should be subsidised and supplied through fair price shops, she said that it is a matter of policy decision. She however welcomed the suggestion. Earlier, she reviewed the progress of the current water conservation campaign with all the stakeholder departments. She called for a revival of 1 lakh defunct bore-wells in the district. She advised officials to take it up on a mission mode.