Ministry of Environment and Forest has sanctioned Rs.6.27 crores
for the preservation of one of the most famous lakes of North Bengal,
lake Samendu in Mirik. The Union Minister Mr. T.R. Balu announced this
in Siliguri. Mr. Ashok Bhattacharya, The State Urban Development
Minister had earlier requested the Union Minister for the sanction
of money. An amount of Rs.6.96 crores is also approved for the conservation
of the Rabindra Sarovar Lake in Kolkata.
While laying down the foundation stone of a recreation park at Dagapur
near Siliguri, Mr. Balu explained that the Central Government has
sanctioned Rs.105 crores for the national river commission project
while the state government had demanded Rs. 330 crores. Out of this
Rs. 33 crores has already been released by the central government
for the phase II of the Ganga Action Plan.
The State Government has already spent Rs. 18 crores of the released
amount. The Union Minister suggested that the remaining portion
of the sanctioned amount may be spent for the upholding and safeguarding
the Mahananda River.