Palwal leads in water conservation

Bijendra Ahlawat

Tribune News Service

Palwal, July 23

Palwal district has achieved the target of 146.18 per cent in the implementation of the ‘Mera Paani-Meri Virasat’ (MPMV) scheme launched by the state government to promote cultivation of less water-consuming crops. The government has announced a financial support of upto Rs 7,000 per acre to the farmers who drop the cultivation of water-consuming kharif crops like paddy in favour of pulses or low-water consuming crops.

“Against the state average of 47.27 per cent achieved till July 21, Palwal is placed at the top with the achievement of 146.18 per cent of the target fixed for the district. While the MPMV target given to the district had been 1,000 acres, farmers here have already registered for the scheme on a land of 1713.47 acres, which is almost one and half times higher than the given target,” says DC Naresh Narwal. Describing the achievement as remarkable in view of the importance of the implementation of the project, he said it was aimed at conserving water and ensuring higher returns to the farmers without depending much on the groundwater resources or rains. The groundwater level has already gone down sharply due to excessive use of tubewells for the irrigation of paddy, one of the highest water-consuming crops. The total number of farmers who have registered for the scheme till date is 753. Currently, the paddy is grown on 47,500 acres in Palwal. Financial incentive or Rs 7,000 per acre has been announced for the replacement of paddy with crops like moong, arhar, sesame, cotton and sorghum under the scheme for which July 31 is the last date for registration.

Remarkable achievement

The achievement is remarkable in view of the importance of the implementation of the project. It is aimed at conserving water and ensuring higher returns to the farmers without depending much on the groundwater resources or rains. Naresh Narwal, DC

Hisar and Kurukshetra are placed at second and third spot with 71.53 and 71.35 per cent, respectively. Charkhi Dadri is at the bottom with 15.45 per cent. Sirsa, given the highest target area of 27,750 acres, has registered a total of 14,083 acres till July 21, which is 51.88 per cent. Despite zero target, Mahendergarh district has also registered an area of 171.6 acres for the scheme. A total of two lakh acres has been targeted to be covered under the project in the state, according to officials concerned.

Paddy cause of fall in groundwater level

• The groundwater level has already gone down sharply due to excessive use of tubewells for the irrigation of paddy, one of the highest water-consuming crops.
• The total number of farmers who have registered for the scheme till date is 753. Currently, paddy is grown on 47,500 acres in Palwal.