Himachal Pradesh builds ‘Forest Ponds’ to harvest rainwater

Himachal Pradesh Government has been building ‘Forest Ponds’ in order to check the depletion of the groundwater and to harvest the rainwater.

The state government under the Parvat Dhara Scheme has initiated the rejuvenation of the water resources and recharging aquifers through the Forest Department with a cost of Rs. 20 crores.

The work has been started in 10 forest divisions in Himachal Pradesh. The divisions are namely Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Jogindernagar, Parvati, Nachan, Rajgarh, Nurpur, Nalagarg, Dalhousie, and Theog.

Objective of Parvat Dhara Scheme:

The Parvat Dhara Scheme aims at enhancing the water level by retaining it for the maximum period of time.

Efforts are also being made by the government authorities to improve the green cover by planting the fruit-bearing plants and special emphasis has been laid on preventing the first in the forests.

Parvat Dhara Scheme:

• According to the forest official, the cleaning and maintenance of the existing ponds have been done under the scheme.

• Construction of contour trenches, new ponds, check dams, dams, and retaining walls for controlling soil erosion has also been done.

• The Parvat Dhara Scheme will be implemented with other forest divisions as well with an emphasis on water and soil conservation through the plantation.

Rich wildlife in Himachal Pradesh:

Himachal Pradesh consists of two national parks and 33 wildlife sanctuaries. As per the official records, 27%- 15,433 sq km of the total 55, 643 sq km- of the Himalayan State is under the forest cover.

The snowcapped mountains and lush green valleys of Himachal Pradesh are home to 26% of India’s species of birds. Out of the 1,228 species reported in the country, 447 are in Himachal Pradesh alone.