Shimla: Chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal disclosed that the central governments steering committee has approved Rs 138 crore under Integerated Watershed Management Program for developing 91,885 hectares of in rain fed areas.
He said the program would be spread out over 10 districts – Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kinnaur, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur and Una. “The funding for the program would be shared on a basis of 90 percent by central government and 10 percent by the state,†said Dhumal.
The area identified under the project is to be developed over a four to seven year period with participation from the people, he said.
Natural resources in watershed areas would be managed in a way that it ensure enhancement of livelihoods. Water conservation, moisture conservation, plantation, agriculture, horticulture development accompanied by employment generation schemes would be given priority, said the chief minister.
He added that the project activities would help to augment incomes, besides ensuring them adequate water for drinking and irrigation purposes.
Under the scheme Self Help Groups (SHGs) and consumer groups would be formed and provided training for better implementation of various schemes to improve the living standards, he said.
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads a team of media professionals at Hill Post.
Spanning a career of over two decades in mass communication, as a Documentary Filmmaker, TV journalist, Print Media journalist and with Online & Social Media, he brings with him a vast experience. He lives in Shimla.
