The Hindu : Water scenario grim

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 23, 2003

Other States

Other States - Jharkand

Water scenario grim

Ranchi April 22. Jharkhand could face a severe water crisis if there was no rain by June, eminent geologists today warned and advocated enactment of a legislation for checking ``mindless and unscientific drilling'' in the state.

``If there is no rain by June-end, Jharkhand can face acute water shortage and in such a situation restructuring of dried up wells has to be taken up,'' Geologist S L S Jageshar, who is working on potential development and management of ground water resources in Jharkhand, told reporters here. V D Manjrekar of the South Asian Association of Economic Geologists (India chapter) said a legislation should be enacted in order to prevent ground water depletion.

The geologists said water problem in Palamau and some pockets of Ranchi was alarming.

Suggesting that roof top rain water harvesting was the best way to save rain water, Jageshwar said between 90 per cent to 95 per cent of rain water ran off the ground untapped due to the state's geographical location.

``If we could tap rain water on flat roofs, it will be a great achievement,'' he added.

Manjrekar said defective tubewells and drying ponds were also adding to the problem.

PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Other States

Stories in this Section

Water scenario grim