From Our Special
Correspondent
New Delhi: Union Minister of State for Water Resources & Minority Affairs Vincent H Pala has said that pilot and demonstrative artificial recharge studies have encouraging results in recharging the run-off, sustenance of extraction structures through increased availability of ground water , increase in irrigation potential, improvement in environment )through increase in soil moisture and ecosystem conditions.
“Today, ground water has attained utmost importance and has become an issue of concern, especially where there is either a problem of decline or quality deterioration. It is the right time to discuss the issue pertaining to rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge in the country,” Pala said on Tuesday at the consultative committee meeting of his ministry.
“Since local communities play an important role in development of ground water resources, it is essential that communities are educated on the current problems that confront ground water development and management sectors,” the Minister said.
Pala said in India’s economy, the importance of ground water can be realized from its preference of utilization in different sectors like drinking and domestic purposes, industry, irrigation. At present ground water meets the water requirement of almost 55% of the country’s irrigated area, around 85% of the drinking needs of the rural population and 50% of the urban and industrial water requirements. It also provides water security during drought.
The diversified occurrence and considerable variation in the availability and utilization of ground water in the country, make its management a challenging task. Various issues such as prioritization of areas for development of resources, augmentation of ground water resources through rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge and participation of the stakeholders are important in ensuring the sustainability of the resources, he added.