Port Blair, Nov. 22: In order to combat with the ongoing water scarcity, the Ministry of Water Resources has taken up a detailed plan through its apex organization i.e. Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) to undertake a detailed studies all over the country including the UT of A&N Islands. The plan would include detailed groundwater surveys and investigation for sustainable management of Water resources in general and ground water resources in particular.
With the approval and recommendation of Planning commission, Govt. of India, it is proposed to cover the entire country within the two five year plan period. The task is underway from the current 5 year plan period. In this regard, main emphasis will be given for in depth understanding of available ground water resources, its development and management and further augmentation through ground water recharge through artificial recharge practices, rainwater harvesting etc.
Since the task is vast, it has been envisaged to incorporate all the stake holders of the precious water resources, in the programme. Besides surveys and investigation, training of the stake holders at various stages has been designed by CGWB. The training is being imparted by various Regional HQ offices of CGWB under the aegis of Rajiv Gandhi Ground Water Research and Training Institute of CGWB at Raipur, Chhattishgarh. A similar training (Tier-III) of this kind will be organized by CGWB at the Conference hall of CARI from 24th November-25th November, 2012.
The first day will include the lectures on various aspects of ground water, its management including artificial recharge and rainwater harvesting with special emphasis on A&N Islands, while in the second day field training will be imparted in some important areas in South Andaman where important changes in water resources has been occurred after the 26.12.2004 tsunami and earthquake. The training will be imparted by the experts of CGWB.
In the training programme, trainees from PRI, APWD, Deptt. Of Agriculture, MES, CARI, B.R. Ambedkar Engineering College, JRRM, Disaster Management Department of Pondicherry University (Port Blair campus) including farmers, practicing water management practices are likely to participate.
In the inauguration of the training programme at 9am on 24.11.12, at the Conference hall of CARI, Port Blair, where the Director, CARI will grace the occasion as Chief Guest and Shri D.N. Singh, Secretary, Rural Development Department, A&N Administration and Shri G.C. Pati, Regional Director, CGWB, Eastern Region will be present as Guest of Honour and Special Guest respectively.