Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Chhattisgarh to marks the state’s 16th foundation day on November 1, 2016. He launched the Saur Sujala Yojana in Chhattisgarh in order to provide solar powered irrigation pumps to farmers at a subsidized price. He also inaugurates jungle safari, statue of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya and Naya Raipur BRTS project in Chhattisgarh
About solar powered irrigation pumps,
A solar-powered pump is a pump running on electricity generated by photovoltaic panels or the radiated thermal energy available from collected sunlight as opposed to grid electricity or diesel run water pumps.
- The operation of solar powered pumps is more economical mainly due to the lower operation and maintenance costs and has less environmental impact than pumps powered by an internal combustion engine (ICE).
- Solar pumps are useful where grid electricity is unavailable and alternative sources (in particular wind) do not provide sufficient energy.
- Solar powered water pumps can deliver drinking water as well as water for livestock or irrigation purposes.
- Solar water pumps may be especially useful in small scale or community based irrigation, as large scale irrigation requires large volumes of water that in turn require a large solar PV array.
- As the water may only be required during some parts of the year, a large PV array would provide excess energy that is not necessarily required, thus making the system inefficient.
- Solar PV water pumping systems are used for irrigation and drinking water inIndia. The majority of the pumps are fitted with a 2000 watt – 3,700 watt motor that receives energy from a 4,800 Wp PV array.
- The 5hp systems can deliver about 124,000 liters of water/day from a total of 50 meters setoff head and 70 meters dynamic head.
About Saur Sujala Yojana :
Chhattisgarh was the first state to implement the Saur Sujala Yojana .Under the scheme, solar powered irrigation pumps of 3HP and 5HP capacity worth Rs 3.5 lakh and Rs 4.5 lakh respectively would be distributed to the farmers by March 31, 2019.
- It is noted that 51,000 farmers would be benefitted in the state with the launch of the scheme in next two years. The scheme will be given priority in those areas where electricity connection has not reached yet.
- The effect of the foundation that Chhattisgarh is laying for the growth and the schemes it is designing and implementing for the welfare of poor people will remain for the century.
Modi launches Asia’s largest jungle safari in Chhattisgarh
PM Narendra Modi inaugurated Asia’s largest man-made jungle safari of about 800-acre Nandanvan Zoo and Safari, at Naya Raipur in Chhattisgarh.
- The Nandan Van zoo and safari is located at a distance of 35 km from the main Raipur Railway station, 30 km from the Raipur Bus Stand and 15 km from the Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur. It is adjacent to the wetted perimeter of perennial Khandwa Dam.
- The Nandan Van zoo and safari is spread across 202.87 Ha which is divided in 8 zones. The zones are – Monument zone, Parking zone, Administrative zone, Water zone, Waiting zone, Zoo zone, Safari zone, Management zone.
- The has a zone called the Management zone where no visitors are allowed. This is where facilities like the Veterinary Hospital, Rescue Center,Conservation & Breeding center are located.
Chhattisgarh :
- Chhattisgarh is the 26th state of the India and was carved out from Madhya Pradesh on Nov 1, 2000.
- Chitrkot Waterfalls is located in Bastar district.
- It is one of the states with highest Schedule Tribe population. SC & ST taken together constitute 50% of States population.
