Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil today said that the Government has allocated 32 thousand crore rupees for water conservation across the country. Mr Patil made this remark while interacting with Water and WASH Warriors in New Delhi. The Minister noted that 65% of MGNREGA funding will be utilised in critical or dark zones for water conservation or water-related works. On river conservation, Mr Patil said that 15 pollution abatement projects were completed this year under the Namami Gange Mission.
Under the mission, Uttar Pradesh is leading with six projects, followed by Bihar with four and West Bengal with three. He added that 37 lakh water harvesting structures have been completed so far, with a target of one crore structures this year. Noting the contributions of water warriors in water conservation, sanitation, and Ganga rejuvenation, he said that community participation is the foundation of sustainable water management.
Talking to Akashvani News, Water and WASH warrior Mansha Sahni from Varanasi said that she is encouraging the community to keep the river Ganga clean and avoid littering around it.
Another Warrior from Delhi, Sanjay Agrawal, said that he is working for the conservation ofthe Yamuna in Delhi. Mr Agrawal also said that money received from the auction of momentoes recieved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is contributing to the Namami Gange Mission.
On this occasion, the Minister inaugurated 25 new centres under the Jalaj Livelihood Mission, taking the total to 51, with 24 more planned, linking river conservation with livelihood generation. He also launched youth for Ganga andthe Youth for Yamuna Mission.
