The CAMPA’s efforts to increase green cover along with water augmentation in order to improve the quality of forests in Chhattisgarh have yielded positive results. The presence of water in the streams throughout the year has provided irrigation facilities to the local people, leading to an increase in agricultural and fishing activities.
This development has improved the standard of living of the people. Farmers in forest areas, benefiting from the wide range of irrigation facilities available to them, have expanded their cultivation to include vegetables alongside Kharif and Rabi crops.
Under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, the ambitious ‘Narva Development Program’ of the state government in Chhattisgarh has successfully revived 6,395 canals located in forest areas.
This initiative has resulted in a notable rise of 15 to 20 cm in the groundwater levels of the surrounding regions. Forest Minister Mohammad Akbar stated that the increased availability of water in the canals has expanded the area under irrigation in the forest areas.
Additionally, the treated canals now provide year-round water sources for wild animals. Local residents have capitalised on the improved groundwater levels by engaging in fish farming in ponds and stop dams. Agriculture and fisheries have become promising avenues for livelihoods, providing the community with sustainable means of income.
The Forest Department has reported that in the Forest region, a total of 1,393 small and large canals have enabled farmers to irrigate their fields and cultivate Kharif and Rabi crops. Through the use of 664 irrigation pumps, farmers have successfully grown crops like paddy, maize, and peas, covering an area of 2,646.9 acres during the Kharif season.
In the Rabi season, 953 farmers have utilised irrigation facilities to cultivate paddy, wheat, maize, mustard, gram, potato, tomato, and vegetables on 1,070.3 acres of land. Farmers in these areas are making use of canals, diesel pumps, electric pumps, and solar pumps to access irrigation facilities.
Furthermore, 61 stop dams in forest areas and 526 ponds in villages are supporting fish farming activities, benefiting the local communities.