Farming to be allowed in Pong Dam area soon: Himachal CM Sukhvinder Sukhu

Tribune News Service

Shimla, February 23

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today assured that the issue of declaration of the Pong Dam as an eco-sensitive zone will be finalised only after seeking the opinion of all MLAs whose constituencies fall under this zone.

Will help attract more migratory birds

• Fatehpur MLA Bhawani Pathania said allowing agriculture in the area would help attract more migratory birds as villagers have not been allowed to undertake agriculture in this area
• Dehra MLA Hoshiyar Singh pointed out that the number of migratory birds had come down from 1.10 lakh to 83,555 in 2023-24 in the Pong Dam area

“First the process of pre-determination of the wildlife sanctuaries will be done and then the notification for declaring it as an eco-sensitive zone will be issued. The guidelines of the Centre are very strict and we are ascertaining the decline in various bird species and then we will take a call on it,” said Sukhu while replying to a query by Dehra MLA Hoshiyar Singh. He said from this year, agriculture would be allowed in the area falling under Pong Dam.

Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar pointed out that the notification of the eco-sensitive zone was issued without public consultation and inviting objections. “It has become mandatory to obtain permission for construction of houses and the rules for the Wetland Ramsar area are being enforced,” the minister said. He said the notification must be withdrawn.

Fatehpur MLA Bhawani Pathania said allowing agriculture in the area will help attract more migratory birds as villagers have not been allowed to undertake agriculture in this area. Jaswan MLA Bikram Singh also urged the CM that it must be ensured that the people do not face any problem due to this as almost six Assembly segments would get affected by this.

Sukhu said the Tourism Department had been authorised to issue permits for boating in the Pong Dam very soon. Hoshiyar Singh pointed out that the number of migratory birds had come down from 1.10 lakh to 83,555 in 2023-24. Replying to a query by Sulah MLA Vipin Parmar, Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan said 6.75 lakh water connections had been provided under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). “We have sought additional Rs 2,000 crore from the Centre to complete work on the 900 schemes in which work is incomplete,” he said.

Chauhan said since connections had been given on the basis of an Aadhaar card in the name of the head of the family, many people have been left out. He said the Jal Shakti Department had been asked to identify all such left-out people so they can be provided a new connection subject to availability of funds from the Centre.

Chauhan said 1,163 schemes at an estimated cost of Rs 2470.21 crore were sanctioned for Himachal under the JJM in the last three years. He added that Rs 2257.50 crore had been spent and work is still underway on 610 schemes. “Almost 90 per cent work was undertaken during the BJP regime but I admit that this problem is being faced in every Assembly segment as many households have been left out,” the minister said.

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