Need to create awareness on water conservation: Prof. R.C. Sobti

CHANDIGARH: December 13: The Panjab University Vice-Chancellor Prof. R.C. Sobti today
called upon the hydrologists and scientists concerned with the water management to
find out measures to tackle the growing water scarcity problem which was not natural
alone but more a self-generated crisis resultant of mismanagement of water.

    Prof. Sobti who was the chief guest at the “Regional Workshop on Water
Availability and Management in Punjab” on the Panjab University campus said the water
resources of Punjab were strategic not only for the state but for the whole of
nation.  
    
    The food security of India depended upon the availability of sufficient water
resources of good quality and Punjab needed to manage its water resources in the best
possible manner.  Prof. Sobti added that if the statistics available were to be
believed, we are already heading towards a gloomy situation as reflected in
degradation and depletion of aquifers, the store house of water.  Adequate measures
needed to be taken to overcome the situation to save ourself from the curse of our
coming generations, Prof. Sobti pointed out.  

    The Vice-Chancellor emphasised the need to create public awareness on water
conservation and checking water wastage going on at various levels.   Prof. Sobti said
the Ministry of Water Resources through CGWB has approved a grant of Rs.7.76 crore to
the Panjab University for demonstrating Rainwater Harvesting covering all buildings
located on the Panjab University campus.  The Panjab University, particularly the
Centre for Advanced Studies, Department of Geology, too also has carried out some
useful studies on groundwater quality, water logging problem in South-West Punjab,
paleo-channels of Sutluj and Beas rivers and also on some of the wetlands.  However,
we still have to go a long way.  Thus, water engineers and scientists are confronted
with challenges of sustainable development and have the responsibility to meet these
challenges, Prof. Sobti noted.  
    
    This workshop has been organised by the National Institute of Hydrology,
Roorkee and Central Groundwater Board, North-West Region, Chandigarh jointly with the
Cente of Advanced Studies, Department of Geology, Panjab Univeristy.

    The workshop was presided by Dr. Bhishm Kumar, the senior most scientist of
NIH and convener of the workshop.   Dr. Bhishm Kumar informed that as the groundwater
in shallow aquifer is either declining fastly or contaminated in many part of Punjab,
therefore, it was the time to use shallow aquifers and deep aquifers in a conjunctive
manner.  But, before exploiting deeper aquifers at a large scale, we should study
their recharge areas to protect them from anthropogenic activities.

    Prof. Naval Kishore, senior professor at the department of geology, Panjab
University and acting chairman of CAS, welcoming the chief guest and the gathering
emphasised that where groundwater table was declining, adoption of the rainwater
harvesting techniques be made to utilize the surplus rainwater and stop the fast
declining groundwater table in the affected parts of the state.   Dr. Someshwar Rao,
the organising secretary of the Regional Workshop informed that 42 papers were
selected for presentation in six different sessions to be held during this regional
workshop.  

    Dr. Suhas Khobragade, the Joint Organizing Secretary of the workshop proposed
the vote of thanks to the chief guest, and the organizers.  The chief guest also
released the proceedings of the Regional Workshop which has been widely
appreciated.    

Press Release No.649