-SATISH HANDA

Haryana state government has started satellite survey to identify total number of ponds in the state in order to bring life in nearly 21000 collapsing ponds all over in the state as per 1957 revenue record and observed that there are large number sites where ponds existed in past years mostly in urban areas which were encroached by land mafias or anti-social elements constructed buildings illegally or developed residential colonies. Available data reveals, 18438 ponds have already been identified so far in the state and maximum numbers of these ponds were encroached by residents of surrounding area. Government has decided to take stern action against encroachers, vacate the area and demolish illegal construction thereon.

Information reveals, 1493 ponds in the state need immediate attention to make them pollution free or take action to stop overflowing water adversely affecting environments in the area and clean water after removing garbage thrown by the residents of surrounding areas for which work has already started in few cases. According to municipal authorities in urban areas and village ‘Panchayats’ in rural areas, water in most of the ponds is so polluted unfit to use by the residents of area or consumed by animals and birds. Executive Chairman of Water Management Authority Prabhakar Verma said that action is being taken to locate disappeared. ponds and take action against violators encroached these ponds or constructed structures there on.

Prabhakar told that Haryana state government has decided to develop14 tourist spots at the ponds on G.T. Road between Ambala and Sindhu border. According to Water Management Authority, initially in the first phase they are focusing on the improvement of 1493 ponds to clean water disposing smell or overflowing water in surround areas situated in 430 villages in the state in coming one year, of them 18 ponds are being modernized under special category and face lifting of nine ponds has already been completed, whereas work on remaining nine ponds will be completed in about two to three months. Prabhakar told that when Water Management Authority in the state was constituted in October 2018, layout and documents of most of the ponds mainly in rural areas were not available with the state government, whereas today digital detail of each and every pond in the state is available on system with Pond Data Management in the state.

Prabhakar said, according to a recent report out of total number of already identified 18438 ponds in Haryana state 17650 ponds are situated in rural areas of them 11452 ponds are having polluted water over flowing from1839 ponds and 788 ponds are situated in urban areas. According to Authority, target has been fixed to face lift and clean water of all these ponds by the year 2022. Prabhakr told that work to improved condition of nearly 200 ponds situated on both side of highways in the state is going on war footing basis at present. He disclosed that there are 18 ponds in the state brought in special category to be developed as picnic spots in Haryana which are situated at village Padha, Sagga, Kachhwa and Gondar in Karnal district, Jhanodi in Jhajjar district and Tepla in Ambala district and Dhanoli. He said, an awareness programme is being launched in the state not to thrown garbage in ponds.