Shimla, Aug 23 - Forest ponds will be constructed to check the depleting groundwater and to harvest rainwater in Himachal Pradesh, state Forest Minister J.P. Nadda said Sunday.

He said the 'van sarovars' or forest ponds will be constructed under the NREGA (National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) programme. 'These would help check depleting water levels by recharging aquifers and even provide water to the wildlife during peak summer,' Nadda told IANS.

'Initially, five such ponds would be constructed in each of the 38 forest divisions. Falling water level is a cause of concern. Even during monsoon, most of the rainwater goes down the drain due to lack of rainwater harvesting structures.'

'Large-scale conversion of green patches into concrete jungle has already affected recharging of aquifers. For this, forest ponds would provide water for the plantations that would be taken up from time to time.'

For constructing the ponds, Nadda said the labourers would be employed under the central government's flagship NREGA programme.