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| ‘Rs 3.5 cr earmarked for construction of SPCB office in Basohli’ |
KATHUA, MARCH 07- Minister for Forests, Environment
& Ecology, Choudhary Lal Singh has said Government is making all out
efforts to revive traditional water sources and introduce modern methods of
water conservation in the State.
The Minister was speaking at a
Constituency Level Advocacy workshop on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene organized
by National Development Foundation and sponsored by Communication and Capacity
Development Unit(CCDU), Deptt of PHE, I&FC at Basohli, here today.
The Minister informed that the
campaign for conservation of water has been taken to Panchayat level for
creating awareness at gross roots level. He said cleanliness and conservation
of water bodies would pave the way for improving hygiene and sanitation.
Expressing concern over shrinking
of water resources due to human greed and negligence, the Minister regretted
that this is happening in a country where people revere rivers and streams as
divine entities. He appealed to the masses to contribute towards
ensuring safe water and proper sanitation.
Meanwhile, Choudhary Lal Singh
exhorted upon the PHE department functionaries to work diligently to provide
safe potable water to the populace of Basohli. He also asked them to ensure
regular maintenance of the filtration plants for providing safe and hygienic
drinking water to the people.
The Minister informed that Government has earmarked
Rs 1 crore to facilitate proper disposal of Solid and Liquid Waste in Basohli
Town. He said that under the project, the Government has provided two dustbins
to each household for segregated collection of bio and solid waste. He said two
auto rickshaws with trolley have been put in service for door to door waste
lifting and dumping at the identified place.
For improving power scenario in Basholi, Choudhary
Lal Singh said that Government has identified 7500 kanal land in the area for
establishing solar power plant which would generate 200-MW electricity to meet
local demand. He further informed that State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) has
prepared a detailed project report of Rs 3.5 crore for construction of its
office in the town.
The Minister said that efforts are afoot to develop
eco-tourism infrastructure around the Ranjit Sagar Lake to project it as a
major tourist destination.
Rajiv Khajuria, Founder Emeritus
National Development Foundation, presented key note address highlighting
different aspects of water, sanitation and hygiene. He informed that National
Development Foundation with the support of CCDU has launched a massive campaign
in Jammu, Samba and Kathua to educate people about the conservation of water.
He said the organization is involving Gram Sabhas, Village Water and Sanitation
Committees and students in the campaign.
A cultural programme, highlighting
the message about water, sanitation and hygiene was presented on the occasion.
People present on the occasion were also made aware about personal hygiene and
water testing through Field Testing kits.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Ravi
Kesar, Chairman SPCB B Sidhartha Kumar, Director Social Forestry Ashwani Gupta,
Director Environment and Remote Sensing O P Sharma and other senior officers
and officials of the Forest department and its wings were also present on the
occasion.
Later, the Minister also
laid foundation for 100-bedded Girls Hostel at Basholi being constructed under
RMSA.
