Himachal to implement watershed projects worth 305 cr

Himachal Pradesh will execute projects worth Rs. 305 crore under the Integrated Watershed Development Programme in all the 12 districts of the state. The projects were recently cleared by the Central Government and would be completed in a span of 4-7 years. This was disclosed by Jai Ram Thakur, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Minister today at Shimla.

He said the projects would aid in boosting up the agrarian economy and life-style besides increasing agricultural, horticulture and animal husbandry activities in the State. It would be for the first time that livelihood activities were being linked with a project besides creating awareness amongst the masses about its benefits. About 203,832 hectare areas would be treated under the project, he added.

He said special emphasis would be given on increasing agricultural, animal husbandry activities and milk production under the project for which fodder saplings would be planted in the selected areas for ensuring adequate arrangement of fodder. The people would also be encouraged to adopt self-employment under small scale industries and  the project would go a long way in improving their socio-economic status. Besides this the emphasis would also be laid on making adequate arrangements of drinking as well as irrigation water under the program.

It would also be for the first time that the funds received from the Central Government would be equally distributed to the districts through State level nodal agency. Under the project the Gram Sabha would play key role in implementation of this project. The Detailed Project Report of the activities to be taken under this project would be prepared by the people and would be passed by the Gram Sabha. The Government had also decided to execute the works through user groups with a view to create assets and ensure their proper maintenance, the Minister added.

This project would be implemented in Jhanduta and Ghumarwin Development Blocks of Bilaspur district, Mehla Development Block of Chamba, Bamsan-Bijhri Development Block of Hamirpur, Dehra Development Block of Kangra, Pooh, Nichar and Kalpa Development Blocks of Kiinaur, Naggar Development Block of Kullu, Siraj, Karsog, Dharampur and Sundernagar Development Blocks of Mandi, Theog Development Block of Shimla, Nahan and Paonta Sahib Development Blocks of Sirmaur, Bangana Development Block of Una, Keylong and Kaza Development Blocks of Lahaul& Spiti and Nalagarh Development Block of Solan district.