Parched Bundelkhand to get Centre’s check dams

According to the state Minor Irrigation department,the nodal agency for the implementation of the project,at least 40 to 45 per cent of these check dams will be completed before the monsoons to tap the rainwater.

The project has been launched under the Repair,Restoration and Renovation of Water Bodies programme of the ministry.

In UP,it is being implemented jointly by the Central Groundwater Board (CGWB),Central Water Commission (CWC) and the UP Minor Irrigation department.

One block has been chosen in each of the seven districts in the pilot phase 2010-2011. These blocks are Naraini in Banda,Manikpur in Chitrakoot,Jaitpur in Mahoba,Maudaha in Hamirpur,Dakor in Jalaun,Bara in Lalitpur and Bangra in Jhansi.

Secretary (Minor Irrigation) R S Dubey said: “The project is being implemented with 100 per cent Central assistance. A team of experts from the CGWB had visited the districts in 2009,during which they had not just identified the blocks which were the worse affected ones,but also created a map of what all should be done in these blocks. In the first phase,they have suggested construction of check dams.” 178 check dams have been approved in seven blocks,for which a budget of Rs 46.47 crore has already been approved.

The project was prepared after a Central drought relief team,including experts and parliamentarians,visited the region in 2008 and submitted its report to the Central government.

An official of the CGWB said: “The team not only visited the drought-affected areas,but also saw different community experiments done in these districts.”

“It was found that while small check dams are proving to be a successful tool for water management,traditional resources like ponds and wells can also play a significant role. Satellite mapping was also done by the Remote Sensing Application Centre after which the project was designed,” added the official.

The Minor Irrigation department has already released the funds to the district units. While the entire project involves construction of check dams,perforation tanks,restoration of wells and ponds,the first phase in the pilot mode will focus on check dams.

District Magistrate of Jalaun,Saurabh Babu,said: “As soon as the funds are released,we will start off work. We have 10 check dams in our Dakor block and we want to complete at least five of them before monsoons.”

District Magistrate of Banda,Ranjan Kumar,which has the highest number of check dams under the project,said: “Naraini is one of the biggest blocks in the district and we have 48 check dams on the list. We want to finish at least 12 to 15 before July.”