Ground Water master-plan identifies area for artificial recharging

New Delhi, Oct 1 (UNI) The Master Plan of the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has prepared a conceptual report for artificial recharge of ground water reservoir by identifying suitable areas and proritising schemes to be implemented to ameliorate the water scarcity problems.

The report titled 'Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water in India' has identified 44,8760 sq km area that needs artificial recharge to ground water.

It is estimated that annually about 36,453 MCM of surplus surface run-off water can be recharged to augment the ground water. The Master Plan envisages construction of 2.25 lakh artificial recharge structures in rural areas at a cost of Rs 19880 crore. In Jammu&Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, North Eastern States, Sikkim emphasis has been placed on spring development and 2700 springs are proposed for augmentation and development.

The plan emphasises the need to conserve ground water in urban areas by employing roof-top rain-water harvesting method and thereby storing the harvested water in specially built tanks. The plan estimates that 37 lakh roof-top rain-water harvesting structures would be feasible at a cost of Rs 4590 crore.

The entire master plan is in the order of Rs 24, 500 crore and would be implemented in phases.

UNI