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Lake conference to focus on Jal Mahal, Man Sagar

Special Correspondent

About 1,000 experts from around the world are likely to participate in the event

JAIPUR: The 12th International Lake Conference proposed to be held in Jaipur in October-November next year is expected to highlight the historic Jal Mahal palace situated in Man Sagar lake here on the global tourism map. The conference, titled ''Taal-2007'', will aim at conservation of lakes, water bodies, waterlogged areas and aquaculture.

Conservation

The Union Minister of State for Forest and Environment, Namonarain Meena, heading a Parliamentary Consultative Committee on the Man Sagar project, said here on Thursday that the week-long lake conference would be organised here from October 28 to November 2, 2007. About 1,000 experts from around the world are likely to participate in the event.

Mr. Meena said Jal Mahal and Man Sagar would be a major attraction for the foreign delegates if the conservation project was completed on schedule. He said his Ministry would promptly give clearance to any proposal submitted by the Rajasthan Government for the upkeep of the lake.

"The Centre will provide adequate financial assistance to all States for ensuring cleanliness of water in rivers and lakes,'' said Mr. Meena. The Consultative Committee's members, who observed the works at the lake embankment launched under the project, were apprised of the progress of the project.

The Commissioner of Jaipur Development Authority (JDA), D.B. Gupta, told the committee members that the project, being implemented with the Central assistance, would be completed by June 2007.

He said the project's total cost had been estimated at Rs.24.72 crore, of which Rs.17.82 crore had been spent so far.

Mr. Gupta said the Union Forest and Environment Ministry had sanctioned Rs.17.3 crore for the project and had so far given Rs.15 crore. Requesting an early release of the outstanding amount, he said the JDA would spend Rs.7.42 crore on the project.

The JDA Commissioner pointed out that the State Government's other wings, such as the Forest Department, Rajasthan Urban Infrastructure Development Project, Irrigation Department, Jaipur Municipal Corporation, Public Health Engineering Department, and the State Pollution Control Board, had also been associated with the project.

Beautification

The works such as desilting, beautification of the lake embankment and outer areas, construction of check-dams and nesting island, and water and power supply have been completed.

Mr. Gupta said 70 per cent of the plantation in the lake region had also been completed, while a sewage treatment plant had been installed recently in the vicinity.

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