Kolkata, Jan 15 (IANS): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Wednesday said her government, in the last two-and-half years, had surpassed the five-year target it had set for water harvesting in the state.

Banerjee said while the aim was excavation of 50,000 water bodies in five years, more than a lakh have already been dug.

"It was in our assembly election manifesto to create 10,000 water bodies every year in the state, so that 50,000 water bodies are excavated in five years' time. To fulfil our commitment, we had taken up the task of 'Jal Dharo, Jal Bharo' (water harvesting) programme in all earnestness," Banerjee said on her Facebook page.

"I am happy to share with you that within only two and half years of our government, we have exceeded our five-year target and already excavated 1,02,618 water bodies."

She stressed that such measures are imperative to tackle the effects of global warming.

"In the present scenario of global warming, it is necessary to focus on ecological balancing. These water bodies will play a significant role not only in ecological balancing, but also in water harvesting, pisciculture and supporting micro-irrigation in the rural areas," she said.