Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Mar 31: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board was felicitated at the Jal Prahari Samman Samaroh – 2023, held at New Maharashtra Sadan, KG Marg, New Delhi.
The felicitation ceremony was organized under the aegis of Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, in recognition of the significant strides made by the Shrine Board to promote water conservation, water harvesting and re-use of treated water.
Anshul Garg, Chief Executive Officer, SMVD Shrine Board, received the Award on behalf of the Board from Union Jal Shakti Minister, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. More than 50 water champions from various States across the country, including Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board have been recognised as Jal Prahari on the basis of their work.
Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Prahlad Singh Patel, MP Manoj Tiwari and Unmesh Patil, Ambassadors of many countries were present to grace the occasion.
Noteworthy that the Shrine Board besides making concerted efforts to provide the best possible facilities to the pilgrims, interalia, has been taking continuing initiatives and adopting best water management practices and techniques for water conservation. These include construction of water harvesting ponds, afforestation drives in Trikuta Hills, installation of Water ATMs, recycling of Sewage Treatment Plants water for reuse in flushing of toilet blocks, installation of waterless urinals and rooftop rainwater harvesting etc.
To promote rainwater harvesting, the rain shelter shed on two sections of Tarakote Marg has been designed with the provision of collecting rainwater in the hood and taking it down to the collection tank through a piped network envisaging subsequent use for landscaping work and gardening purposes.
Various provisions have also been made in the residential buildings of the SMVD Sports Complex, SMVDIME, SMVDCoN, as well as SMVDNS Hospital at Kakryal for rainwater harvesting for use in landscaping work etc, thereby saving a large quantity of water.
A multi-pronged approach has been adopted by Forest Wing of Shrine Board for proper water management and promotion of water conservation through various activities and campaigns which includes construction of water harvesting ponds, DRSM (Dry Rubble Stone Masonry) works in the slopes of Trikuta Hills and construction of vegetative check dam. Considerable number of water harvesting ponds have been constructed in the Shrine forest area which is helping in recharging ground water and also serving as a feeding point for wildlife. In addition, vegetative check dams have been constructed by using live hedges and plant species in forest areas which is also helping in control of water and soil from erosion. Besides, every year, over 1 lakh seedlings are planted in and around Trikuta hills.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
