Himachal Pradesh Announces First Ozone-Based Drinking Water Project

# Himachal Pradesh Announces First Ozone-Based Drinking Water Project ### Why in News? Himachal Pradesh announced its **first ozone-based drinking water treatment project** at **Dehra in Kangra district**, with an outlay of **₹46 crore**. ### Key Details - **Ozone treatment** uses ozone gas to disinfect water by destroying microorganisms and oxidising contaminants, reducing dependence on conventional chemical disinfectants. - The project is intended to improve the supply of **safe drinking water** in the Dehra region. - The state also announced a veterinary hospital at **Baddal Thor** and highlighted the **Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana**, which involves youth and women’s groups in plantation and forest protection. - Under the forest scheme, participating **Self-Help Groups (SHGs)** can receive financial assistance linked to plantation survival. ### Exam Connect - **Dehra** → Kangra district → Himachal Pradesh - **Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana** → community participation in plantation and forest protection