The Hindu : New Delhi News : Plan to recharge groundwater

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Saturday, Jul 14, 2007
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New Delhi

Plan to recharge groundwater

Smriti Kak Ramachandran

Delhi Government seeks help of Waterman

“Need to rid these baolis of encroachments, and start a plantation drive”
“Traditional water harvesting systems should be adopted with people’s participation”

NEW DELHI: It is the only source of water that Delhi can claim its own, but a source that is fast depleting. To safeguard against any further dip in the ground water levels in the city, the Government has stepped up efforts to recharge this major source of water that contributes substantially to the Capital’s colossal demand.

The Delhi Government has now asked Magsaysay Award winner Rajinder Singh, better known as Waterman, to help revive the city’s water bodies, even as various departments including the Delhi Jal Board have been harvesting rainwater.

“The Government has decided to use the expertise of Mr. Rajinder Singh to help recharge groundwater by reviving baolis that have been in a state of desiccation,” sources said.

A list of 228 such water bodies has been prepared and Mr. Singh, who is credited with the revival of water bodies in Rajasthan, is being roped in to share his know-how.

“I am ready to help the Government to revive water bodies and have been highlighting the need to recharge groundwater. It is a precious commodity and needs immediate attention,” Mr. Singh said.

Confirming that he will work with Government to revive the short-listed water bodies, he said: “The Government claims that work on this front has already begun, but we need to first rid these water bodies of encroachments and embark on a plantation drive.”

“Traditional water harvesting systems have to be adopted and people’s participation has to be ensured,” Mr. Singh said, adding: “The Delhi Jal Board needs to be more proactive in ensuring the recharge of groundwater.”

Pointing out that the process of rainwater recharge has to be a sustained effort, he said: “Creating harvesting structures is not enough. We need to ensure that water comes to these structures and the catchments area of these areas is secured, even where there is no supply of water, there should be a channel to bring in water.”

Putting forth more suggestions to help improve the recharge of water in the city, Mr. Singh said: “I have also suggested that schools be encouraged to undertake plantation drives along the Yamuna banks from where people have been displaced. Also, the harvesting structures should be put up along the natural drains, there are about 22 of them and some are already dead. This will also help in recharge of water.”

The Waterman has also recommended establishment of “decentralised sewage treatment plants” at each of these drains to check pollution.

Commenting on the Delhi Jal Board’s efforts to recharge groundwater and promote rainwater harvesting, Mr. Singh, who will begin work on the 200-plus water bodies “soon”, said: “The Central Ground Water Board can only suggest, but the responsibility of executing the work lies with the Delhi Jal Board.”

The Board on its part admits that while work to revitalise groundwater has been prioritised, “there still is scope for more”.

“We have 190 harvesting structures in our own offices; we have set up a special cell for creating awareness and aiding individuals and organisations willing to set up harvesting structures. Through our own structures are expecting 9.16 lakh square metres of recharge annually,” said a Board official.

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