The Union Joint Secretary, Ministry of DoNER and Central Nodal Officer for Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) - Catch the Rain (CTR), Sh Angshuman Dey IFS, chaired a virtual review meeting today to evaluate the implementation, impact, and progress of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan in the Doda district.
During the meeting, District Development Commissioner Doda, Vishesh Mahajan, presented a comprehensive overview of the achievements made in the previous year and outlined the proposed activities for the current financial year. Mahajan highlighted the Water Conservation Plan 2023-24, stating that last year, 85 Amrit Sarovars (sacred ponds) were established, and this year, it is planned to have one Amrit Sarovar in every village across the district. Given the district's hilly terrain, Mahajan mentioned the development of terrace-type Amrit Sarovars to optimize water conservation efforts. Furthermore, he shared that over 10 lakh saplings were planted across 2869 acres last year, and the district successfully restored 1021 water bodies through the collaboration of various departments, including RDD, IWMP, Jal Shakti, Horticulture, Agriculture, and Forest.
The meeting was attended by several key officials, including the Additional District Development Commissioner, Superintendent Engineer JSD, Chief Planning Officer, District Information Officer, District Social Welfare Officer, Chief Executive Officer, Divisional Forest Officers, Executive Engineers, Assistant Executive Engineers, and other relevant authorities.
Jal Shakti Abhiyan is a prominent initiative of the Government of India aimed at ensuring water security and promoting water conservation throughout the country. The program aims to raise awareness about the significance of water conservation, encourage water harvesting practices, and enhance water storage and distribution infrastructure.
During the review meeting, the participants assessed the on-ground impact of the program and identified any challenges or issues that need immediate attention.
The Union Joint Secretary commended the efforts of the district administration and all stakeholders involved in the successful implementation of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan in Doda. He stressed the need for continued and dedicated efforts to ensure the program's triumph. The official emphasized the importance of active publicity through Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities. Additionally, he announced his upcoming visit to the district in the last week of this month to discuss progress, address bottlenecks, and address any pressing issues that require the immediate attention of the government, aiming to make the Jal Shakti Abhiyan a resounding success.
The review meeting served as a valuable platform to evaluate the progress of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan in the Doda district, fostering collaboration between different departments and ensuring the effective implementation of water conservation measures.