Alva inaugurates package of ecological conservation measures

Nainital, Jun 6 (PTI) Uttarakhand Governor Margaret Alva has inaugurated a package of ecological conservation measures comprising innovative rain water harvesting structure and a comprehensive set of solar power facilities at Raj Bhavan here. At a function organised to mark World Environment Day yesterday, the Governor and her spouse Niranjan Alva also planted two saplings in the Raj Bhawan premises, a official press release said. Speaking on the occasion, Alva said President Pratibha Patil has been the force behind the 'Green Building Concept' encompassing eco-friendly measures initiated in the Rashtrapati Bhawan estate in Delhi and all Raj Bhawans in the country. "The innovative Green Building concept, on which the various ecological conservation measures adopted at Raj Bhawan in Nainital are based, includes waste management, energy conservation, use of alternate sources of energy, harvesting rainwater and preserving the ecosystem," she said. The rainwater harvesting structure incorporates countless number of innovations that were adopted in the face of tremendous odds, and is therefore a civil engineering marvel. The Governor hoped that it will increase water supply to Raj Bhawan, especially during the summers when the entire Nainital faces a water crunch due to heavy tourist inflow. "In fact, the rainwater harvesting structure will also contribute to reduction in carbon footprints caused due to pumping of water from the Naini Lake," she said. Initially, the project had a capacity of two lakh litres storage facility with RCC tank. However, on the advice of the Governor, it was decided to have a bigger capacity non-concrete pond to store rainwater.