The impact of climate change on water resources needs to be studied in detail, Union Minister of State for Water Resources Vincent H. Pala said here on Wednesday.
Inaugurating a three-day Research and Development session of Indian National Committee on Hydrology (INCOH) at the IIT Madras, he said various studies indicated that changes in climatic condition could affect flow characteristics of the rivers and number of rainy days. However, most of the projections are based on inadequate data and hence require comprehensive study.
Pointing out that rapid urbanisation and industrialisation have interfered with the hydrological cycle, he said many issues of concern, including improper water management and poor maintenance of the canal systems, have emerged. There is a need to take into account the environmental and social issues to ensure sustainable development of water resources.
He said the Ministry funded research in various thrust areas being taken up by R and D labs of the government and educational institutions. Such sessions, which are organised to review the progress of the projects, help in improving the system.
Later, speaking to presspersons he said that out of the Rs.450-crore funds for water resource projects all over the country, nearly Rs.115 crore has been sanctioned for groundwater recharge projects in Tamil Nadu.
A. K. Bajaj, Chairman of Central Water Commission and INCOH, highlighted the activities of INCOH that provided technical support to the Ministry in evaluating research projects. So far, the Ministry has funded 71 projects of which 39 have been completed.
An accurate assessment of available surface and groundwater resources is essential for planning and implementation of projects, he said.
Mr. Bajaj said some projects to be presented at the meet have practical utility and are on the lines of priority areas such as water resources management during drought, evaporation control, artificial ground water recharge and flood forecasting.
R. D. Singh, Director of National Institute of Hydrology, said that besides about 20 projects to be discussed, seven new project proposals would be presented for funding. The application of new computing techniques in hydrology would also be discussed.
INCOH’s member secretary Rakesh Kumar and IIT deputy director V. G. Idichandy also participated.
