Palak Nandi, TNN Oct 9, 2011, 05.26AM IST
JAIPUR: Good new trickles in for the migratory birds at the Keoladeo Ghana National Park, which will soon receive about 300 million cubic feet (mcft) water through the Chambal Dholpur-Bharatpur drinking water project. The water is expected to ensure a good season for both the winged visitors and bird watching enthusiasts.
The Chambal Dholpur-Bharatpur drinking water project, primarily a PHED project, is designed to resolve the acute drinking water crisis in the districts of Bharatpur and Dholpur. The pipelines for it have been laid and are being tested for leaks, sources said.
Though the park will receive its share of water from the project this year; the forest officials are worried that the happiness might be short-lived. The water resources department had agreed in 2006 to release 310 mcft water every year for the park till 2010. At that time, the Goverdhan Drain Project was to start functioning, but was delayed.
Recently, the Ghana Bachao Sanyukt Shangrash Samiti had held a dharna, demanding that water be immediately released for the park. "The park needed water by September, since it was not available open-billed storks abandoned their nests and left. The Chambal water last the winter season but the park needs a permanent solution and quickly,'' said Rakesh Fojdar, secretary of the Samiti.
The senior officials of the water resources department said, the priority of the Chambal project is providing drinking water to Bharatpur and the surrounding villages, but not the park. The district would receive up to 4 mcft water every day under the project, all of which would be distributed for drinking purposes after three months. The main reason for diverting water to the national park now is because the water tank for storing water is not ready and also there is a threat the park may lose its heritage site status.
"For now, the water storage tank in Bharatpur is not ready and the park requires water, so drinking water is being sent there. By December, the tank will be ready and the Goverdhan Drain project will be functional and would start providing water to the park by next monsoon. The Chambal water would be used for the purpose it is purported,'' a senior official said.
The park requires nearly 650 mcft of water, it has so far only received 50 mcft from Ajam dam in September. "Water from Chambal has been released and is likely to reach the park by Saturday evening. About 300 mcft water would be sent to the park in the next three months, it will benefit the migratory birds that come to the park during winter,'' said a senior forest official. He also voiced his concern that though the Goverdhan drain will provide about 300 mcft of water, the park could still face a shortage. "Even if Chambal provides some water, it would be helpful but that is unlikely,'' he added.
Jaipur: Good new trickles in for the migratory birds at the Keoladeo Ghana National Park, which will soon receive about 300 MCFT water through the Chambal Dholpur-Bharatpur drinking water project. The water is expected to ensure a good season for both the winged visitors and bird watching enthusiasts.
The Chambal Dholpur-Bharatpur drinking water project, primarily a PHED project, is designed to resolve the acute drinking water crisis in the districts of Bharatpur and Dholpur. The pipelines for it have been laid and are being tested for leaks, sources said.
Though the park will receive its share of water from the project this year; the forest officials are worried that the happiness might be short-lived. The water resources department had agreed in 2006 to release 310 MCFT water every year for the park till 2010. At that time, the Goverdhan Drain Project was to start functioning, but was delayed.
Recently, the Ghana Bachao Sanyukt Shangrash Samiti, had held a dharna, demanding that water be immediately released for the park. ''The park requires water by September and as it was not available, open-billed storks had abandoned their nests and left. The Chambal water might save the winter season but the park needs a permanent solution fast,'' said Secretary of the Samiti Rakesh Fojdar.
According to senior officials of the water resources department, the priority of the Chambal project is providing drinking water to Bharatpur and surrounding villages and definitely not the park. The district would receive upto 4 MCFT water every day under the project, all of which would be distributed for drinking purposes after three months. For now, the main reason for diverting the water to the national park is the fact that the water tank for storage and distribution of the water is not ready and because there is a large threat looming over the park which might loose its world heritage site status.
Source http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-09/jaipur/30260003_1_drinking-water-phed-water-storage-tank
