India to implement Rs 460 Cr ground water scheme

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India to implement Rs 460 Cr ground water schemeNew Delhi: The Government of India will implement a new scheme 'Ground Water Management and Regulation' with an outlay of Rs 460 crore to strengthen ground water resource management system.It will also help in delineating ground water development worthy areas and developing area specific artificial recharge and rain water harvesting techniques.The scheme will help in development of web enabled ground water information services (WEGWIS), capacity building of scientists, planners and other stakeholders and strengthening of coordination and synergy amongst all other stakeholders.The proposed activities under the scheme during Eleventh Plan include ground water management studies over 7.5 lakh square km area, exploration of new aquifer areas through drilling of 4,000 wells and monitoring of ground water levels and quality from country-wide network of 15,500 observation wells.It also include carrying out of about 1,500 water supply investigations for Defence, urban and other organisations, carrying out of 75 demonstrative artificial recharge and rain water harvesting studies in different states, besides regulating ground water development and management in critical areas and the preparation of reports and maps on the availability of ground water by district and states.The existing schemes on 'Ground Water Survey, Exploration and Investigation', Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) and 'Studies of Recharge to Ground Water' through Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) till Tenth Plan have been integrated as one scheme 'Ground Water Management and Regulation'.CGWB has been given mandate to develop and disseminate technologies and monitor and implement national policies, for the scientific and sustainable development and management of ground water resources in the country.It also looks after the exploration, assessment, conservation, augmentation and protection from pollution and distribution based on principles of economic and ecological efficiency and equity. The new scheme would help in framing strategies for planned development and management of ground water including operationalisation of area specific techniques and regulation and control of development and management of ground water.Besides, it will conduct R & D studies including upgradation of technological capabilities and infrastructural base of the CGWB.Under the scheme, transfer of knowledge, education and awareness and increasing coordination with central and state government organisations for sustained management of ground water resources would be facilitated.-iGovernment BureauClick to get the daily dose of news on good governance at iGovernment.-- Dr.V.N.Sharmahttp://canvas.nowpos.com/vnsharma