Protecting environment and aiding livelihood, the West Bengal government has created more than 1.2 lakh ponds since coming to power, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said.
In a Facebook post, Banerjee said when they came to power in May 2011, their target was to create 50,000 ponds in five years under the unique scheme 'Jal Dharo Jal Bharo' (Reserve and Preserve Water).
"But in less than four years upto end February 2015, one lakh twenty-one thousand ponds have been created in the state. It is not only environment and eco-friendly, but it provides livelihood through fisheries developed in these ponds and preserves water for use in dry season," she said.
Moreover in 2014-15, irrigation potential in over 57,000 hectares of land under minor irrigation sector has been created, the chief minister said.
"Our target for 2015-16 is 62,000 hectares. This will give significant boost to agricultural productivity in the state," she said.
