------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre Ph:2252660 Website: www.goadesc.org Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Press Clippings on the web: http://www.goadesc.org/mem/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Modern harvesting, recharge can save Goa's water -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The scientific management of water is need of the hour in the face of rising exploitation and pollution of ground water resources in the country, echoed scientists at one day training programme on 'Ground Water Management' held on Monday at Goa Science Centre in Miramar.
The training Programme was organised by Central Ground water Board in association with Government of Goa. The scientists maintained that in the modern days rain water harvesting and artificial recharge is how we can salvage depleting water resources.Speaking on 'Amenability and techniques of artificial Recharge and rain harvesting, C S Ramasesha maintained that there is imperative need to launch awareness programme for ground water recharge and water harvesting due to over-exploitation of water resources
Ramasesha recommended artificial recharge to ground water to enhance sustainable yield in areas where over exploitation has depleted the aquifers. Artificial recharge could be adopted for conservation and storage of excess surface water for future requirements and to improve the quality of existing ground water through dilution. Any man-made scheme or facility that adds water to an aquifer may be considered to be an artificial recharge system.
Basic advantages of artificial recharging is that it has beneficial influence on
ground water regime, provides cost effective subsurface conveyance system
and most importantly it is eco-friendly, observed Ramasesha. Dry and
abandoned dug wells could be used as recharge structures by diverting the
surface run-off into them, suggested Ramasesha.
Arguing in favour of rain water harvesting Ramasesha said surface water is inadequate to meet our demand and hence we have to depend on ground water. Also due to rapid urbanisation, infiltration of rain water into the sub- soil has decreased drastically and recharging of ground water has diminished.
Moreover, over-exploitation of ground water resources has resulted in decline in water levels in most part of the country. For urban India roof top water harvesting is most suitable, he said. Other scientist and hydrologist who presented their views M C Reddy, V Saivasan, K Keerthiseelan, K M Vishwanath, K R Sooryanarayan and Dr T R Prakash.
Earlier in the morning S K Sharma, Member of Central Ground Water Board and chief guest inaugurated the training programme in the presence of Venkatarathnam, Secretary Water Resources, Forest, Town and Country Planning, S D Sayanak, Chief Engineer, Water Resource Department and Ramesh Joshi, Director of Department of Agriculture.
During the occasion S K Sharma also released the Ground Water User
Maps of Goa State which depicts Ground water regime conditions, quality,
type of wells to be constructed, yield potential, areas showing feasibility for
artificial recharge etc. The maps are expected to be helpful for scientific
development and management of the ground water resources in the State.
The one day training programme was attended by representative from Department of Agriculture, Department of Water Resources, Goa water shed Development Society, Gram Vikas Kendra, Tata Energy Research Institute, Goa State Council of Science and Technology, Nirmal Vikas Kendra etc. About 30 trainees participated in the programmes who were awarded with training course certificates at the hands of the chief guest. ------------------------------------ HERALD 30/3/04 page 4 ------------------------------------
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