Complete Narmada Valley projects by 2020

Bhopal: Clearances of all kinds should be sought at the earliest to complete Narmada Valley projects within time-limit. Timely completion of projects will provide adequate water for irrigation to farmers, specially tribal ones. This was stated by Minister of State and Chairman of Narmada Valley Development Authority Shri K. L. Agrawal at a workshop here today on process of environment-related clearances to Narmada Valley projects under Forest Conservation Act.
Shri Agrawal said that from Anuppur to Khandwa, 29 major, 135 medium and 3000 minor dams are proposed under Narmada Valley Project. A target has been set to complete all these projects by year 2024. Engineers should make efforts using their full capacity to achieve this target by 2020. Shri Agrawal said that teams should be constituted at various levels to remove delay in securing forests and environment-related clearances from the Union Government. He said that completion of projects will improve living standard of tribals.
Principal Secretary Forests Shri R.N. Saxena said that water is as important as forests. He said that Narmada will never dry up if forests remain intact. Groundwater level of forest-less areas is depleted. Shri Saxena said that catchment area treatment plans of all projects should be chalked out. He said that wildlife rehabilitation plans should also be chalked out for dams to be constructed near National Parks and sanctuaries. He also informed about alternative plantation.
Union Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Shri Lakhvindar Singh informed about directives and guidelines of Union Forest and Environment Department. He said that it will be easier to secure clearance if application is made on the basis of all information. He informed about Forest Protection Act saying that it should not violated. Any other department should not start work there if forest land is not transferred.
Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Shri C.P. Rai informed about land diversion and Shri Sanjay Mukharya about wildlife conservation. Additional Principal Conservator of Forests Shri L.K. Sood answered questions of officers.
Vice-Chairman of Narmada Valley Development Authority Shri Rajneesh Vaish, superintending engineers, executive engineers and other members attended the meeting.