Press release block level Workshop, May 14, 2013

Block level workshop organised in Mundapandey by WWF-India and the District Adminstration discusses Ramganga conservation

Block level workshop at Dalpatpur, Mundapandey brings together line departments, gram pradhans and key stakeholders to discuss and deliberate on Ramganga conservation

May 14, 2013, Mundapandey block, Moradabad: The Block level workshop on Ramganga conservation was inaugurated by Shri Shailendra Vyas, Block Development Officer (BDO) who highlighted the importance of working together and integrating Ramganga conservation in the Block level plans. Mundapandey witnessed the first block level deliberations on Ramganga Conservation. This is the second in the series of workshops organised by WWF-India and the District Administration.

About 195 participants from different line departments, village heads, local NGOs came together on May 14, 2013 at Rajkiran Kanya Intercollege, Dalpatpur to deliberate and discuss strategies for revival of Ramganga.

“‘Conservation of Ramganga is a priority for us and it can be achieved by a two-pronged process involving participative planning at  the block level and effective implementation at the village level said Shri Shailendra Vyas, He suggested aligning the MNREGA schemes with the plans for Ramganga conservation especially for tackling wastewater discharge and exploring other such options. Shri Kuldev Singh, Tehsildar said, “It is important to connect and sensitise the gram pradhans on the link between ponds, groundwater and rivers.” He urged the pradhans to proactively stop the encroachments of ponds in villages as these are critical for groundwater recharge.

Mr. Suresh Babu, Director, Rivers Basins & Water Policy, WWF-India emphasised the need to integrate river conservation strategies in the village and block level plans. He informed the participants that WWF-India will coordinate the formation of Ramganga Mitra (Crusaders of Ramganga) to take lead on river conservation. He welcomed the participants to come forward to become Ramganga Mitra, which will be a voluntary initiative. Ramganga Mitra will be formed at urban and rural areas along the Ramganga.

Best practices in water, agriculture and biodiversity conservation from the Ganga basin and relevant to Ramganga such as promoting sustainable agriculture for water use efficiency and reduced pollution as well as lessons learned from People Centric Dolphin Conservation Programme in Narora were presented by WWF-India.Dr. Sandeep Behera, Associate Director, Rivers Basins & Water Policy, WWF-India stressed on the role of stakeholders in eliminating the threats to Ramganga and its biodiversity.

 

The meeting ended with a discussion, where in the participants shared their views on developing a coordinated framework for collaboration between different departments and the mobilisation of key stakeholders. It also deliberated on leveraging resources from the ongoing schemes at the block level.

The workshop was organised under the aegis of Ramganga ke liye jeevan, jeevan ke liye Ramganga campaign initiated by the District Administration and WWF-India. The next workshop is scheduled to take place at the Village level on May 16, 2013 at Sikanderpurpatti Village. HSBC Water Programme is supporting this campaign.