Project to rejuvenate Beas river basin to begin soon

HAMIRPUR: The Himalayan Forest Research Institute (HFRI) has been tasked with the preparation of a detailed project report (DPR) for the rejuvenation of Beas river basin. The institute would consult various stakeholders involved in the project for the report. The announcement was made by Pardeep Thakur, Chief Conservator, Himachal Pradesh Forest Department (HPFD), at a workshop which saw the presence of experts from various state government departments, including the public works department (PWD), Forest, Irrigation and Public Health, organised at Hamirpur on August 23.

He commented that Beas river that originates from the Beas Kund at the Rohtang Pass was once a major source of water for districts like Kullu, Mandi, Hamirpur and Kangra in Himachal Pradesh and Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Kapurthala and Amritsar in Punjab. With the ongoing issue of climate change and unfavorable weather conditions, the flow and quality of water in the river had degraded substantially.

Anil Joshi, Conservator, (HPFD), commented that the identification of topography and the potential of biological filters along the catchment area of the Beas basin was the need of the hour.

Dr Vinod Dogra, HFRI, said that once the DPR would be ready, it would be forwarded to the Centre for approval and funding.