Lok Sabha
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), a sub-ordinate office of the Ministry of Water Resources, carries out ground water exploration to identify the potential aquifer zones worthy of ground water development. In the State of Rajasthan, the sites for exploratory wells are finalized in consultation with the Government of Rajasthan. The successful exploratory wells are handed over to the State Public Health Engineering Department for drinking water supply in urban and rural areas. The scientific data generated during the course of exploration is utilized by the State in planning development of ground water. Ground Water Department, Government of Rajasthan was consulted for construction of rain water harvesting structures for recharge to ground water during the IX Plan. CGWB also provides technical guidance and training to the officers of the State organizations for designing rain water harvesting structures whenever requested.
For augmentation of ground water resources, CGWB has prepared a conceptual plan for mega recharge to ground water in parts of Thar desert utilizing surplus IGNP water. Ministry of Water Resources has approved an R&D project on "Ground Water Recharge Studies in the Thar desert terrain of Rajasthan through surplus water" for this purpose and allotted Rs. 88 lakh to the State Water Resources Planning Department. The objective of the project is to improve overall water balance situation of the study area. Another R&D Project has been approved by the Ministry of Water Resources for 'Identification and mapping of palaeochannels in the eastern fringe of the Thar desert for water resources augmentation plan' for which an amount of Rs. 16 lakh has been provided to B. M. Birla Science & Technology Centre, Jaipur. The objective of the study is to identify and precisely map the palaeo channels in Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Churu, Pali, Jalore and Barmer districts of Rajasthan and to study the behaviour of ground water in palaeo drainage in terms of quality, quantity and recharge capabilities.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Water Resources, Shri Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav in response to a question by Prof. Rasa Singh Rawat in the Lok Sabha today.
SK/BS-3
(Release ID :23423)