“Global Relevance of Water Conservation and Recharge Discussed: Minister Kedar Kashyap”

Chhattisgarh Government’s Water Resources Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap today attended the 8th India Water Week program organized by the Ministry of Jal Shakti at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. On this occasion, Minister Shri Kashyap shared the work done in Chhattisgarh with the representatives from other countries and gained international experience in the field of water management. He said that through the workshop, discussions on water conservation, augmentation and recharge as well as many aspects related to environment, agriculture and development are relevant not only for India but for the entire world.

While addressing the inaugural session of the 8th India Water Week, Water Resources Minister Shri Kashyap said that it is impossible to imagine any life without water. In Indian civilization, the importance of water in life and in the journey after life has been explained. According to this, all sources of water have been considered sacred. Every religious place is situated on the banks of a river. The place of ponds, lakes and pools is useful for the society. But if we look at the present time, sometimes the situation seems worrying. Due to increasing population, the condition of our rivers and reservoirs is deteriorating, ponds in villages are drying up, many local rivers have become extinct. Water is being exploited more than necessary in agriculture and industries. The environmental balance on earth has started deteriorating, the mood of the weather is changing. In monsoon, there is excessive rainfall at some places and there is a drought-like situation at other places.

Minister Mr. Kashyap said that the history of irrigation development in the state is very old. In Kotgarh near Akaltara in Janjgir-Champa district, Vallabh Raj (1120 AD), a feudatory of Kalchuri Raja II, built a pond called Vallabhsagar. In 1158 AD, Khadga pond was built about 3 km east of Ratanpur. Similarly, beautiful ponds were dug in Bahuni, Shivrinarayan, Kharoud and Saraud by contemporary rulers. In the beginning of the twentieth century, irrigation work was started by constructing reservoirs and canals, especially in the paddy producing areas i.e. Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg etc. Pt. Lakhan Lal Mishra reservoir (Pindravan reservoir) and Kumhari reservoir were built in Raipur district in the year 1911 and Tandula reservoir of Durg district was completed in the year 1912. Murumsilli dam with a unique siphon spillway of its kind in the continent of Asia was constructed in the year 1923. The year 1927 proved to be a milestone for Chhattisgarh because in this year the Mahanadi canal system was completed in Raipur district. Kharang and Maniyari reservoirs were constructed in 1931 in Bilaspur district.

During his address, Water Resources Minister Mr. Kashyap said that Chhattisgarh is an agriculture-based state where more than 80 percent of the population is dependent on agriculture. The total sown area in the state is 56.83 lakh hectares and the constructed irrigation is only about 39 percent. As of the year 2023, 21.57 lakh hectares of irrigation capacity has been created in the state.

Minister Mr. Kashyap said that the Water Resources Department is fully aware of the increasing drinking water and irrigation needs of the state in the coming times. Attention is also being paid to the creation of future plans for the proper use of water in the state. In view of this, efforts are underway for the survey, design and implementation of new projects. So that the objectives of the betterment and prosperity of the state can be met by using the rainwater that has been flowing waste till now to meet the needs of irrigation, drinking water, disposal, industry etc. in water deficient areas.

Minister Shri Kashyap said that under the River Linking Campaign in Chhattisgarh, action is being taken for the construction of Ahirhan Kharang Link Project (for drinking water), Sikasar-Kodar Interlinking Project, Survey of Indravati-Mahanadi Interlinking Project, Chhaparatola Reservoir River Revival Project and Pairi-Mahanadi Interlinking Project.

At present, the construction of projects for irrigation through micro irrigation system is in progress in the state to increase the water use efficiency. In future, the government is constantly making efforts to implement irrigation projects for more production with less water and cost by using the latest irrigation system and techniques in the state.