Bengal endeavours to increase irrigation facilities

Around 800 check dams and other water harvesting structures would be constructed to facilitate irrigation of nearly 32,000 hectares in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Sunday.

"Around 800 structures, like check dams, will be constructed and surface flow minor irrigation schemes undertaken under 'Jalatirtha', a scheme to conserve surface and rain water, which will benefit around 64,000 farmers. Around Rs.500 crore will be spent," said Banerjee.

Banerjee said the scheme undertaken in the arid districts of Bankura, Birbhum, Purulia and West Midnapore would help prevent soil erosion, recharge ground water aquifers, improve production and productivity of agriculture, fishery, duck rearing and animal feeding etc.

"During 2015-16, another minor irrigation potential for an additional 15,000 hectares will be created and culturable command area of 1,500 hectare developed in these areas," she said.

Under the rain water harvesting scheme 'Jal Dharo Jal Bharo', the state government completed re-excavation of 817 tanks and 7,319 water conservation and harvesting structures till December 2014.