Date:31/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/31/stories/2008073153720300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

East Godavari selected under Central Water Board project

Staff Reporter

Focus on ‘groundwater stressed areas’

Some 17 mandals selected in the district
DWMA asked to implement the scheme

Kakinada: Though East Godavari district is abound in water resources, the deteriorating quality of groundwater has been a major concern for the policy makers and people alike. To mitigate adverse impact of soil related factors or human activity on groundwater availability and quality, a major project of artificially recharging groundwater through dug wells was taken up in East Godavari along with five other districts in Andhra Pradesh by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB).

The focus is on districts like this which account for 80 percent of the ‘groundwater stressed areas’ located in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu where groundwater usage is categorized as semi-critical, critical and over-exploited.

According to official sources, East Godavari district will have 2,000 wells dug and recharged artificially to compensate for the decline in both the groundwater quantities and quality which suffered a major dent due to salinity or presence of fluoride, nitrate, iron, arsenic and other some toxic metal ions. Some 17 mandals were identified in the district for implementing the scheme.

Considering the fact that 50 percent of water requirement for irrigation in India is met from groundwater sources, it has become essential for the CGWB to attach utmost importance to recharging groundwater, particularly in districts like East Godavari where the irrigation sector sustains local economy to a great extent.

The District Water Management Agency (DWMA) was entrusted with the task of implementing the CGWB scheme wherein a subsidy of Rs 5,000 will be given as subsidy to small and marginal farmers for digging a well and 50 percent subsidy for other farmers.

Groundwater readings will be taken in 42 blocks for every six hours with the help of ‘Piezometers’ to help in accurate mapping of areas where installation of recharge structures (dug wells) is required. A district-level committee under the chairmanship of Collector was constituted to monitor execution of the scheme which is being funded by NABARD.