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The Central Ground Water Board under the Ministry of Water Resources is organizing Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) week during 1-7 February, 2005 to generate awareness amongst the masses about the importance of ground water and its augmentation by Rain Water Harvesting and Artificial Recharge. A number of initiatives like Mass Awareness Programmes, training of RWH, exhibition with working models at public places, painting competition and education among school children are being organized during this week. Human chain with NGOs, school children and other stakeholders are being organized by the Regional Directorates of the Board all over country. The prgrammes are expected to help in dissemination of information and technology of Rain Water Harvesting and provide a measure of capacity building for Rain Water Harvesting and Artificial Recharge at local lavals.
Rain Water Harvesting is the technique of collection and storage of rain water at the surface or in sub-surface aquifers before it is lost as surface runoff. The Board has identified an area of about 4.5 lakh sq.km. in the country which shows declining trend in ground water level and needs urgent attention to meet the growing needs for irrigation, industry and domestic purpose. It is estimated that in these identified areas of water scarcity about 36 Billion Cubic Meters of surplus monsoon runoff is available which can be fruitfully utilized to augment the ground water resources. A twin strategy of adopting simple Artificial Recharge techniques in rural areas like percolation tanks, check dams, recharge shaft, dugwell recharge and sub-surface dykes and adopting Roof Top Rain Water Harvesting structures in urban areas can go a long way in redeeming the worsening situation of shortage of ground water. It is estimated that in the country about 2.25 lakh artificial recharge structures in rural areas and about 37 lakh roof top rain water harvesting structures in the cities are feasible.
During this week, in the NCT of Delhi, the CGWB is organizing a Mass awareness programme to highlight the need and importance of Rain Water Harvesting, besides a training programme on “Rain water harvesting techniques” for social workers. The members of public eager to implement rain water harvesting in their premises will be provided with design of structures free of cost on the spot. In addition, to bring awareness amongst school children, painting competition and elocution are being organized in 10 select schools. Human chain with school children and NGOs is also being organized to emphasize the significance of rain water harvesting.
RKJ/AM
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