In his monthly radio broadcast 'Mann Ki Baat', Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi acknowledged the significant water conservation efforts and community participation in Sidhi district, Madhya Pradesh.
During his monthly radio address, 'Mann Ki Baat', Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi recognized the remarkable water conservation initiatives undertaken by Sidhi district, Madhya Pradesh. This national recognition signifies the district's pride and achievement not only for the district but for the entire state.
Under the guidance of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, the Jal Ganga Sanvardhan Abhiyan campaign in Sidhi has successfully linked water conservation with development and sustainable livelihoods through extensive interventions.
A key aspect of this campaign involves the construction of 1,489 farm ponds, significantly boosting rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and irrigation capacity. These farm ponds ensure a steady water supply for farmers, enhancing agricultural sustainability.
Sidhi district has completed 12,983 water conservation works to date, raising its water storage capacity from 13.57 crore cubic metres to 18.06 crore cubic metres, an increase of 4.48 crore cubic metres.
The enhanced capacity is projected to bring irrigation to nearly 896 hectares of additional land and supply water for approximately one lakh people daily.
To guarantee long-term water sustainability, a river rejuvenation campaign has been carried out across all five Janpad Panchayats in the district. One river was chosen in each Janpad Panchayat for check dams, stop dams, boulder check dams and gabion structures construction.
In Sihawal development block, lift irrigation systems have been set up at Vyavhar Khand, Kunjhunkala, Bahri, Amarahi and Podi villages. This facilitates the irrigation of tribal farmers in high-altitude areas, enabling them to diversify their farming from Kharif crops to Rabi crops and vegetable cultivation, resulting in an increase in annual farmer income between ₹40,000 to ₹50,000.
Sidhi district has integrated water conservation with livelihood generation. Currently, 211 ponds support fish farming, and 178 ponds are utilized for water chestnut cultivation, generating direct economic benefits of nearly ₹80 lakh for fishermen's groups, self-help groups, and individual fish farmers.
Source:
MPInfo English News
