Check dams at Shivalik foothills to tap rainwater

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh April 23

The Haryana Government has decided to construct small and big check dams on the Shivalik foothills for tapping rainwater to be used for irrigation.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar directed the Forest Department to carry out a survey for the construction of small check dams and a similar survey by the Irrigation Department for the construction of big check dams. Besides, it has also been decided to link Kalesar with Kalka through a metalled road to boost to tourism in this region. For this, he directed the PWD (Building and Roads) to conduct a survey so that the construction of this road could be started soon.

These decisions were taken in the 20th governing body meeting of the Shivalik Development Board presided over by Khattar here today.

The board approved a budget of Rs 16 crore for the year 2015-16. Khattar, who is also the chairman of the board, assured that the there would be no dearth of funds for the development of this region. The Chief Minister said the proposed road would not only boost tourism in this area but also ensure the overall development of the region, including Adibadri, a historical, religious and picturesque place in the foothills of the Shivaliks. The region would also get a further boost as prestigious education institutes would also come up as a result of connectivity between Kalka and Kalesar, he added.

He directed the Forest and Tourism Departments to bring their action plan in the next meeting so that schemes and programmes for the development of region could be finalised. Apart from this, the DCs of Panchkula, Ambala and Yamunanagar would also identify places to be developed as tourist destinations.

The meeting was informed that the Chief Minister had announced the setting up of an Adventure Sports Academy at Tikkar Tal in Morni(Panchkula) and soon a memorandum of understanding (MOU) would be signed in this regard between the Tourism and Sports Departments. The development work being undertaken by the Tourism Department at Adibadri would be completed by year-end. The Forest Department is also taking up the development of eco-tourism in Kalesar and Hathnikund.