PATNA: A regional workshop on “National Aquifer Mapping and Management (NAQUIM) Programme- Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha” was organised by Central Ground water Board (CGWB) here on Friday.
Union minister of state for environment, forest and climate change Ashwini Kumar Choubey was the chief guest of the occasion. He emphasized for implementation of the NAQUIM outcomes for better ground water management and planning.
Speaking in the inaugural programme, Ashok Kumar Ghosh, chairman, Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) hoped the findings of the aquifer mapping programme may help in addressing the issue of arsenic contamination of groundwater in Ganga river belt.
“Aquifer mapping will be very useful in sustainable use of ground water and framing long term policy related to ground water withdrawal for agriculture and drinking water,” he said.
More than 270 participants, including scientists, officers, technical and ground Water experts from various state and central government departments participated in the event.
The objectives of the NAQUIM program is to identify and map the aquifers in India, to estimate the quantity and quality of groundwater resources in the aquifers and to develop a national groundwater database and information system among others.
The program uses various technologies such as geophysical surveys, hydrogeological modelling, and remote sensing to map the aquifers and estimate the groundwater resources.
The program aims to ensure the sustainable use of groundwater resources and minimize the adverse impacts of overexploitation of aquifers in the area.
