Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Union Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandrasekhar on Monday gave a call for conservation of rain water and thereby enhancing the sustenance. Speaking at a two-day national conference on “Watershed Mahotsav” in Guntur, he said that good rains occur from July to September and the rainwater should be harnessed for development and livelihood. He called for making good use of various state and central government schemes and becoming an example in the country.

The minister stated on this occasion that 1700 cubic meters of water per year has been identified and if there is less water than that, it will be considered as water scarcity. He said that the Prime Minister considers water security as national security and for this, watershed schemes are being implemented. The minister informed on this occasion that proper harnessing of water can lead to six-fold productivity in various sectors, cultivating two or three crops and rising groundwater level by at least three meters. 

He also informed that watershed 2.0 is being implemented with an outlay of Rs 13,000 crore for the period 2021-26. He suggested that the government should take steps to create awareness about water conservation in every village and also suggested various departments to work in coordination. Stressing on the importance of watershed projects, the minister emphasized the need to focus on drought prone areas. 

He said that steps should be taken to reconstruct at least 25,000 tanks every year and that with people's participation, coordination and awareness, excellent results can be achieved and livelihoods can be paved. On this occasion, the Minister also released a book titled "Ensuring Water Security, Nurturing Wasteland and Empowering Rural Livelihoods "Rajasthan".

As part of the Watershed Mahotsav at Vengalayapalem, the 21-acre pond under the Amrit Sarovar had been beautified and a garden grown around it. Manoj Joshi , Secretary , Department of Land Reforms said that the government is working to provide water facilities to every nook and corner of the country through watersheds.