KATRA- Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board was felicitated at the Jal Prahari Samman Samaroh – 2023 held on March 29 at New Maharashtra Sadan, KG Marg, New Delhi. The felicitation ceremony was organized under the aegis of Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, in recognition of the significant strides made by the Shrine Board to promote water conservation, water harvesting and re-use of treated water.
Anshul Garg, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board received the Award on behalf of the Board from Union Jal Shakti Minister, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. He thanked the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti for recognising the work done by the Shrine Board under the chairmanship of Sh. Manoj Sinha, Hon’ble Lt Governor, JK-UT (Chairman, SMVDSB) for water conservation and management adding that this honour will encourage the Board’s team to work more zealously for water management and its conservation as part of Yatra management initiatives.
In this ceremony more than 50 water champions from various states across the country including Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board have been recognised as Jal Prahari on the basis of their work. Noteworthy, that the Shrine Board besides making concerted efforts to provide the best possible facilities to the pilgrims, interalia, taking continuing initiatives and adopting best water management practices and techniques for water conservation. These include construction of water harvesting ponds, afforestation drives in Trikuta Hills, installation of Water ATMs, recycling of Sewage Treatment Plants water for reuse in flushing of toilet blocks, installation of waterless urinals and rooftop rainwater harvesting etc.
To promote rainwater harvesting, the rain shelter shed on two sections of Tarakote Marg has been designed with the provision of collecting rainwater in the hood and taking it down to the collection tank through a piped network envisaging subsequent use for landscaping work and gardening purposes. Various provisions have also been made in the residential buildings of the SMVD Sports Complex, SMVDIME, SMVDCoN, as well as SMVDNS Hospital at Kakryal for rainwater harvesting for use in landscaping work etc, thereby saving a large quantity of water.
A multi-pronged approach has been adopted by Forest Wing of Shrine Board for proper water management and promotion of water conservation through various activities and campaigns which includes construction of water harvesting ponds, DRSM (Dry Rubble Stone Masonry) works in the slopes of Trikuta Hills and construction of vegetative check dam. Considerable number of water harvesting ponds have been constructed in the Shrine forest area which is helping in recharging ground water and also serving as a feeding point for wildlife. In addition, vegetative check dams have been constructed by using live hedges and plant species in forest areas which is also helping in control of water and soil from erosion. Besides, every year, over 1 lakh seedlings are planted in and around Trikuta hills.
Banganga river rejuvenation also remained a focus area for Shrine Board wherein water management and environment management are taken together for implementation to restore the lost ecology of the polluted stretches of the river by construction of drainage with sewer network system with interceptor chambers to divert polluted water. The target to create a green environment around Banganga rivulet was also initiated which not only helped in reducing soil erosion but improvement in the ecology and aesthetics of the area besides environment friendly and attractive pilgrimage.
The installation of dedicated Fire Hydrants from Bhawan to Adhkuwari via Himkoti to mitigate fire incidents during summer season by lifting of treated water from Bhawan STP to reservoirs of 75,000 gallons capacity each at Hut Station, Bhawan, Saket, Himkoti and Adhkuwari, in normal course is to be utilised for floriculture, washing of track, construction works etc. The Board is also promoting the reuse of treated water from various STPs for flushing of toilet blocks, landscaping etc. In this context, an adequate water storage facility has been constructed at the Shrine Board’s Sports Complex at Katra and the treated water from STP at Niharika as well as rain water runoff from Niharika Complex is collected and used for landscaping and flushing purposes. The Board has made such provisions in its several other buildings also which includes Spiritual Growth Centre, Staff Colony, Nomain, Niharika Complex, Aastha Complex, SMVD Gurukul and Serli Helipad.
The Shrine Board has been awarded consecutively for the past many years in recognition of its initiatives taken in varied spheres. In 2019, Shrine Board received the ‘Best Swachh Iconic Place’ award under the initiative of Swachh Bharat Mission of Government of India, while in 2017 the Board received the ‘Special Swachh Iconic Place’ award under Swachhta Hi Seva’ campaign of the Government of India. In 2018, the Board was awarded with the Cleanest Religious Place award by the India Today Group and bagged the First Prize in 2nd and 3rd ‘National Water Awards’ in the category of ‘Best Institution/ Resident Welfare Association/ Religious Organisation for Successful Campus Usage’.
Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Prahlad Singh Patel,MP Manoj Tiwari and Unmesh Patil,Ambassadors of many countries including Netherland, Finland, Malta, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan were present to grace the occasion.
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