Water is becoming a scarce natural resource and there is an urgent need to conserve it, says minister for water resources, Pawan Kumar Bansal. In conversation with Yeshi Seli, he points out that the objective of his ministry is to act as a catalyst in sensitising people on the need to use water judiciously and also to harvest it. Many states are actively following this now

Shimla: The proposal to rationalise wildlife sanctuaries in the state cleared the main hurdle with national board of wildlife granting approval with certain important modifications, including setting up of conservation reserves in place of scrapping sanctuaries altogether.

Himachal Pradesh has banned polythene. The ban entails a fine between Rs 1,000 and Rs 25,000 depending on the offence.

No forest land will be given for religious purposes and transfer of forest land will be allowed only for site-specific public projects in the state.

With the realisation that climate change was impacting resources of water, the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), under the Ministry of Water Resources, has urged the States to make it mandatory for institutions to adopt rooftop rain water harvesting and promote artificially recharged ground water. The principle is to catch every drop where it falls.

With the realisation that climate change was impacting resources of water, the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), under the Ministry of Water Resources, has urged the States to make it mandatory for institutions to adopt rooftop rain water harvesting and promote artificially recharged ground water. The principle is to catch every drop where it falls.