UP to tap Nepal floodwaters for hydro power

About half a dozen big rivers flowing from Nepal to the Terai and Purvanchal cause havoc every year during the rainy season

The Uttar Pradesh government is aiming to tap flood waters brought by Himalayan rivers flowing from Nepal during the monsoon, for generating hydro power.

About half a dozen big rivers flowing from Nepal to the ‘Terai’ (lowlands on the Indo-Nepal border between the Gangetic Plain and the Himalayas) and ‘Purvanchal’ (eastern Uttar Pradesh) regions of UP, cause havoc every year during the rainy season.

The major rivers originating from Nepal include the Sharda, Rapti and Kuano. Another river, Girwa meets the Saryu at Gonda and forms the mighty Ghagra river. These ravaging rivers cause major destruction to crops, livestock and human lives in Bahraich, Kheri, Gorakhpur, Balrampur, Basti, Barabanki, Gonda etc.

UP chief secretary, Jawed Usmani has now directed officials to construct reservoirs that will store flood waters and generate energy. The government would also take special flood control and drainage measures in the region.

Usmani was reviewing the imperatives towards the implementation of the UP Agricultural Policy 2013. He asked officials to prepare a department-wise action plan by April 20 towards its implementation.

The emphasis of the Policy is to increase farm income, emancipate landless farm labour, boost agro based industries, engage the private sector, provide post harvest management and marketing support.

During the current 12th Plan (2012-17), UP is targetting an agricultural growth rate of 5.1 per cent. The industrial and services growth rate have been pegged at 11.2 per cent and 11.9 per cent, respectively.

The Akhilesh government is targetting a composite investment of about Rs 16.70 lakh crore in various sectors during the Plan period.

Meanwhile, the state is working towards strengthening the institutional credit mechanism for providing agricultural loans to farmers. Besides, Kisan Credit Card would be issued to all farmers.

To increase farm income, allied industries including dairy, fisheries, poultry, horticulture and sericulture would be encouraged.