Parvat Dhara Scheme, Himachal Pradesh

On May 2, 2021 the Himachal Pradesh government launched a new scheme named ‘Parvat Dhara’ for rejuvenating the water sources in the state as well as for recharging the aquifers. Under this scheme various measures will be taken for water and soil conservation along with increased plantation and construction of new water storage sources. It will tend to increase the diminishing water levels by retaining water for maximum period. This scheme will be implemented by the forest department with an expenditure of Rs. 20 crores and the Jal Shakti department will be the nodal department for this scheme. A total of 2.76 crores is spent under the scheme till date.

Scheme Overview:

Objectives and Benefits:

• The main objective of the scheme is to conserve water resources in the state
• It tends to use the available water resources to its full potential
• It aims at minimizing the wastage of water
• Under this scheme storage structures will be constructed
• Irrigation facilities will be provided to the sloping fields and water conservation will enable increased irrigation capacity
• This scheme aims at retaining water resources through water and soil conservation
• It will ensure water supply to all the arts of the state in the long run

Key Points:

• On May 2, 2021 Himachal Pradesh government newly launched Parvat Dhara scheme for conserving the water resources in the state
• This scheme will be implemented by the forest department
• Jal Shakti department will be the nodal department under this scheme
• Currently this scheme is being implemented in 10 districts of the state except Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti
• This scheme aims at rejuvenating the water resources across the state along with recharging the aquifers
• It aims at constructing new water storage resources and using the available water resources to its full potential
• It aims at minimising the wastage of water
• Irrigation facilities will be provided to the sloping fields and water conservation will enable increased irrigation capacity
• Cleanliness of the ponds and reservoirs will also be done
• Forests and plantation will be taken care of under this scheme
• Forest fires are aimed to be prevented
• Water conservation, construction, and maintenance of reservoirs as well as management of the same will be done under this scheme
• This scheme will rejuvenate and bring to use the water resources on the verge of extinction
• It aims to increase the water conservation levels as well as increase the irrigation capacities
• It aims at retaining water resources through water and soil conservation
• In the year 2020-21forest department started the work on pilot basis and spent Rs. 2.76 crores for construction of 110 big and small ponds, 12,000 contour trenches, various check dams, walls, and plantations
• Total outlay of this scheme is Rs. 20 crores