At Rajgir-based Nalanda University in Bihar, a new research entitled “Aquifer Storage & Recovery for Sustainable Agriculture” (ASRA) is being carried out by the School of Ecology and Environment Studies to create a model of “Aquifer Storage and Recovery” (ASR) technology using floodwaters to provide an opportunity to farmers to raise their income.
The research is being undertaken with support from the Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research.
The model aims to help farmers of south Bihar to raise their income through agriculture and allied activities with the help of assured irrigation from reuse of water stored beneath the surface during episodes of high rainfall, run-offs and water logging.
“The project will benefit farmers by making them co-participants in the process...widespread recharge activities during the rainy season over several years is likely to build up an underground water bank...ASRA research will reveal if there is a net recharge of aquifers and if there is a positive impact on the natural water systems related to underground aquifers,” said a Nalanda University note.
‘Avant-garde courses’
“Innovative research is the only way forward for a global institution such as Nalanda. Our effort therefore has been to have avant-garde courses at the University and research aimed at building new regional structures with global peace and growth in the direction of development through emerging new research,” said Prof. Sunaina Singh, Vice-Chancellor of the University.
Aquifer map
The university research is essentially focussed on converging water solutions that primarily address the irrigation needs of an agrarian community but could also provide drinking water security with appropriate safeguards.
The project would also deliver a comprehensive aquifer map for recharge and estimation of the potential injection of surface water into the selected aquifer.
“A model for implementation, including awareness, local capacity and chain of facilities, will be available in a manual to ensure sustainability of the technology and wider adoption in the region in areas with similar hydrological characteristics,” the University note on the research further said.
