Groundwater recharge scheme launched

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, FEB. 17. The Central Groundwater Board, in collaboration with the Bangalore University, launched the "Artificial Recharge of Groundwater" Scheme on the university campus here today.

Inaugurating the scheme, Mr. Arjun Charan Sethi, Union Minister for Water Resources, said development of groundwater as a resource needed careful planning for exploitation and management. The participation of users and non-governmental organisations was essential for the success of such programmes.

Mr. Sethi said that in the past 40 years there had been a rapid growth in groundwater development but the overuse of groundwater had resulted in the depletion of the water table in some areas. The artificial recharge of groundwater by storing surplus monsoon water in subsurface reservoirs would help augment the available resources.

The scheme, once implemented, was likely to recharge about 20,000 cubic metres of water into the depleting aquifer system in the area. It would also help maintain the productivity of the existing borewells supplying water to the university and surrounding areas, he said.

Dr. D.K. Chadha, Chairman, Central Groundwater Board, said the scheme was developed at a cost of Rs. 14 lakhs and would be funded by the Board under the Ministry of Water Resources. The Board, in association with the university, proposed to set up a model eco-park where the recharge of groundwater could be demonstrated to the public.

Dr. K. Siddappa, Vice-Chancellor of the university, said the scheme would cover the entire 1,200-acre campus. The university's Department of Civil Engineering had drawn up a plan for rooftop rainwater harvesting, he said and appealed to the Union minister to consider the proposal for funding by the Centre.

The minister asked Dr. Siddappa to send the proposal to the Centre and assured him that it would be considered for funding.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : Christian leaders plead for John's reinstatement
Next     : Akademi Fellowship, awards announced