Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis performs Bhoomipujan of of Ambazari Biodiversity Park and Catchment Area Development Project.
Nagpur: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday performed Bhoomipujan of ambitious Ambazari Biodiversity Park and Catchment Area Development project situated at Kamlanagar, behind Hotel Highway Glory, Amravati Road here.
The Ambazari Catchment Area Development Project will be on the lines of Rashtrapati Bhavan Mughal Gardens. The Ambazari project will be undertaken in the guidance of J A C S Rao who created the Rashtrapati Bhavan Gardens.
The programme, organised by Forest Department, was presided over by Mayor Pravin Datke while President of Zilla Parishad Nishatai Savarkar graced the function as chief guest. Other dignitaries present on the occasion include MLA Sameer Meghe, Corporator Parinay Fukey, Divisional Commissioner Anup Kumar, Municipal Commissioner Shravan Hardikar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest A K Nigam, FDCM Managing Director Sarjan Bhagat, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) Shribhagwan, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Production) A S K Sinha, Chief Conservator of Forest (Territorial) T S K Reddy and others.
The Chief Minister in his address said, “If proper planning of water and forest resources is done through scientifically integrated management then rain is recorded in sufficient quantity. Therefore need of the hour is conservation of water and forest resources in a big way. The Forest Department deserves appreciation for undertaking the proposed Biodiversity Park at Ambazari Catchment Area which reserved forest area. The Art of Living organisation has also done commendable work in conservation of water resources in Nagpur District. Ambazari is glory of Nagpur. Conservation of Ambazari Cathment Area is necessary for rejuvenation of Nag River. The Nag River can be rejuvenated by clean and pure water,” asserted the Chief Minister.
Fadnavis further said that Maharashtra is facing acute shortage of water. Out of 39,000 villagers in the State, 27,000 villages are in the grip of drought. Last year the figure was 25,000. Deficient rainfall is not the real reason of drought. This phenomenon is not even natural. It is manmade problem. The present perilous situation is the result of wiping out of catchment areas from the maps of Nature. We have encroached upon the maps of cathment areas. We have put hurdles in the Nature’s works. Hence the water and forest resources got destroyed. And when water and forest resources are eliminated then the rains too elude the places. Same thing has happened. However, there is remedy for this malady. If proper planning of water and forest resources is done through scientifically integrated management then rain is recorded in sufficient quantity. When we venture out for this work we are not only creating a tourism spot but also fulfilling the social responsibility. The Forest Department should go ahead with full steam. The funds will not be constraints for this ambitious project, assured the Chief Minister.
At the outset, welcoming the Chief Minister, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest A K Nigam said that the project is the joint planning of Forest Department and District Administration. The proposed expenditure of the project, spread over 758 hectares of catchment area, is Rs 14 crore. The project will help enhancement of water table in the city. The project will have the cooperation of Art of Living, Persistent Company, voluntary organisations, schools, colleges etc, stated Nigam.
