(300 Hectares of land to be treated under the project)
NABARD has launched a Springshed based watershed project in Khiram area of Anantnag. The project was inaugurated by Chief General Manager NABARD J&K, Dr Ajay Kumar Sood in Presence of Additional District Development Commissioner Anantnag Shri Bashir Ah Wani. The project with total outlay of 0.45 Crore aims to rejuvenate springs in Khiram and its adjacent villages, recharge the ground water and improve facilities for agriculture and irrigation, reforestation and efficient use of natural resource. The project which is under participatory mode shall be executed and monitored through the village watershed committee and implemented by a project facilitating NGO.
Speaking on the occasion, CGM NABARD, Dr Sood said that NABARD has been supporting watershed-based initiatives across the country and this was first such initiative in Kashmir region. The project aims at promoting innovative ideas of water conservation and distribution 03 Halqa Panchayats of Khiram Village. The creation of water conservation and management structures with existing traditional irrigation channels will support optimum utilization of water resources. He said the project envisages to augment the water resources through creation of water harvesting and irrigation infrastructure which will encourage the farmers and bring more land under cultivation for crops production and orchard development. The project will directly benefit a population of 1764 souls and covering the treatment of 300 ha of land for agricultural / horticultural purpose. He said NABARD has already executed various developmental projects in the district in agriculture and rural development sector and is looking forward to take up more development programmes in the district.
District Development Manager NABARD Anantnag Sh Rouf Zargar informed that project was sanctioned for a period of 04 years and various components such as Water harvesting tanks, Recharge Pits and check dams would be constructed. Besides the livelihood activities such as vermi composting and tailoring unit for women would also be taken up under the project.
ADDC Anantnag Sh Bashir Wani complimented CGM NABARD for choosing Anantnag under such innovative project. He said the district has rich natural water resources and their treatment was the need of the hour. The project would address the major concerns of dying springs and help in their rejuvenation. On the occasion, DDC member Sh Nisar Ahmad thanked NABARD for providing financial support for various developmental projects such as roads, water supply schemes and other infrastructural support.
Later CGM visted the Skill development Programme sanctioned by NABARD to train 30 rural youths in Food and Beverage and hotem Management training course.
CGM was accompanied by Addc anantnag, DGM NABARD, DDM NABARD, Lead District Manager, officers from line department and public representatives of the area.
