New Delhi. In areas like Bundelkhand of Uttar Pradesh, water scarcity has always been a major problem. The Yogi government of Uttar Pradesh is constantly trying to get rid of this problem in the state. In this episode, the Government of Uttar Pradesh has released the ground water of a total of 26 development blocks including 20 development blocks of Mahoba, Jhansi, Banda, Chitrakoot, Hamirpur and Lalitpur districts of Bundelkhand region and 6 development blocks of Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, Baghpat, Meerut district of West Uttar Pradesh. It has been selected for the purpose of improving management.
Special focus on 550 gram panchayats
Developing a water security plan in the selected 550 gram panchayats of these 26 development blocks, according to the hydrogeological conditions of the area, various demand side interventions such as micro-irrigation method (irrigation by drip and sprinkler system), reuse of water for irrigation, converted into crop rotation Selection of less water consuming crops, pressurized irrigation method and other water saving measures and supply side interventions like check dam percolation pond, contour budding/ trenches, recharge trench/ shaft/ bale are being implemented in the canal command area.
Ground water crisis will end by 2024-25
The government is emphasizing on community participation for ground water management through the state government ‘Atal Bhujal Yojana’. This scheme, implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, is playing an important role in improving the quality of life of every common person along with removing the scarcity of water in their lives. Under this scheme, there is an attempt to bring change in the behavior of the people for better water sources, increasing the income of the farmers and facilitating the use of water. The government is spending Rs 717.73 crore on this project and a target has been set to end the groundwater crisis by 2024-25.
Development of water security plan in 506 gram panchayats
79 NGOs have been selected as District Implementation Partners for development under Atal Bhujal Yojana. At present, water security plans have been developed in 506 gram panchayats, for the implementation of the works proposed in these plans, a district level unit has been constituted in each district under the chairmanship of the District Magistrate. In which all the concerned departments are nominated as members.