The Central Ground Water Board, South Eastern Coastal Region, Chennai, will implement a pilot project on “integrated water management and water security plan” in the two habitations of Nedungadu and Annavasal in Karaikal district for two years.
The objective of the pilot project is to evolve and implement water conservation techniques, strengthening and augmenting of storage capacity at existing sources, creation of new sources, dredging of channels for improving the efficiency of the water bodies and so on, said A. Subburaj, Head of Office of the Central Ground Water Board, South Eastern Coastal Region, Chennai.
Speaking at the inauguration of the day-long workshop on “water conservation, security and quality” organised by the board, Central Ground Water Authority, and the Union Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation here on Friday, Mr. Subburaj said the quantum of salinity was on the rise in the Karaikal region by virtue of its proximity to the marine zone.
Hence, there was a strong case for improving the quality of groundwater in the region.
He said that village-level, block-level, and district-level committees would be formed for the implementation of the pilot project.
Office-bearers of these committees, through periodical meetings, ascertain the quality of groundwater and evolve ways and means for improving it.
Based on the success of the pilot project, it would be implemented to other problem-prone villages in the Union Territory of Puducherry, he added.
Mr. Subburaj said that as of now, there was not serious exploitation of groundwater in Karaikal. However, there was a strong case for setting up rainwater harvest structures in all the 6,000-odd domestic and commercial complex in the district for long-term benefit on the lines of the Tamil Nadu.
He appealed to District Collector E. Vallavan, to take necessary action in this regard. The Collector released a souvenir brought out on the occasion and promised all possible steps for the conservation of groundwater in Karaikal.
Salinity content in groundwater on the rise due to marine influence
Compulsory rainwater harvesting structures mooted for all households in Karaikal
Pilot project will be extended to all problem prone villages in Union Territory of Puducherry
