- A special action plan for water conservation will be prepared by finding out the exact status of groundwater in villages.
- Scientific recommendations will be implemented through MNREGA.
The efforts of water conservation and groundwater enrichment, which are among the priorities of the Chhattisgarh government, are now going to get scientific wings. The “More Village More Water” campaign, run to stop the falling groundwater level in the state and ensure water security in rural areas, is being made more effective and technically strong. In this connection, a detailed scientific study and hydrogeological survey of the water-stressed Dhamtari and Kurud development blocks of Dhamtari district will be conducted by experts from the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Raipur.
Based on the report of this scientific study, water conservation and groundwater recharge work will be carried out in the future, which will give a new and accurate direction to traditional water management.
- ‘Special focus on critical and semi-critical zones’
- Developing a sustainable solution to the water crisis
Based on the state of groundwater exploitation, Dhamtari block in Dhamtari district has been identified as “critical” and Kurud as “semi-critical.” To develop a permanent solution to the water crisis in these areas, a special proposal was submitted by the Collector to the state level. This proposal requests experts from NIT Raipur to conduct spot studies and hydrogeological surveys of selected villages to identify and develop scientific groundwater conservation structures and their technical designs.
- ‘The expert team will analyse the amount of groundwater available in each village.’
The expert team from NIT Raipur will conduct a scientific analysis of the available groundwater in each village and the rate at which water levels are changing. The actual capacity of existing water sources and the potential for rainwater conservation will be explored, and the most suitable structures for water recharge will be identified, and a detailed technical report will be prepared on their technical design, potential impact, and water recharge potential.
- ‘Studies are essential for long-term outcomes’
In this regard, Dr. Vikas Kumar Vidyarthi, Assistant Professor at NIT Raipur, has informed the district administration that this comprehensive study is essential for long-term and effective results. Based on the list of villages proposed for the study, the institute is preparing a detailed action plan and assessing the necessary financial provisions.
“The action plan will be linked to MNREGA and rural development schemes.”
The State MNREGA Commissioner’s office has also shown active support for implementing this massive campaign. The district administration has been asked for detailed information about the villages in the Dhamtari and Kurud development blocks where this survey is to be conducted. Upon receiving this information, NIT Raipur will submit its final technical and expenditure proposals.
- Water conservation work will be given priority.
The most significant feature of this survey will be that, based on its findings, water conservation initiatives will be prioritized under MNREGA and other rural development schemes. Particular attention will be paid to villages that face severe water shortages every summer.
- Commitment to long-term water security
The primary objective of the “More Village, More Water” campaign is to maximize rainwater harvesting and ensure sustainable management of water resources. This technical support from NIT Raipur will significantly enhance the quality and utility of water infrastructure. This initiative will not only increase the availability of drinking water and irrigation in rural areas, but will also prove to be a milestone in making villages water-sufficient in this era of climate change.