GAYA: District magistrate Abhishek Singh has issued an order that rain water harvesting system and plantation should be mandatory in government buildings to be constructed with an estimate of over Rs 20 lakh.
The DM has issued the order in the wake of water crisis in urban as well as in the rural areas of the district during summer due to depletion of underground water table.
The district education officer has been asked to ensure plantation in schools having space for the same.
“This year 43 lakh saplings of different species have to be planted across the district.
Last year, 37 lakh saplings were planted.
As a result the underground water table improved to 17 feet,” the DM said.
Divisional forest officer (DFO) Abhishek Kumar said, “Around 50 lakh saplings are available for plantation in 16 nurseries of the Gaya forest division.
To ensure safety of the saplings, 33,000 gebians are also available.
The saplings would be made available to the students free of cost through four mobile banks for plantation on their school campus or in surroundings of their houses.
At the same time, a counter is being opened at all the block headquarters from where anyone can buy saplings for Rs 10.” The DM has asked to complete the target of plantation before July 31.
He has also issued instructions to the officials concerned to expedite work under the Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali scheme and complete the survey within 10 days for providing irrigation water to each farm field (har khet ki paani).
Gaya district is on the eighth position in Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali scheme implementation.
The DM has asked to ensure timely entry of works on portal of the department to improve ranking of the district.
He asked to make all the wells free from encroachment within 15 days.
Under Jal-Jeeevan-Hariyali scheme 553 soak pits, 155 check dams have been completed.
Besides, special stress is being laid on roof top rain water harvesting and construction of new water bodies, so that the underground water level remain recharged throughout the year.