Times of India 25.07.2009
Excess ground water seepage threatens Jodhpur
JODHPUR: While elsewhere in the state the ground water level is falling fast, Jodhpur faces a problem of plenty. The ground water level here, especially in the city areas, has been on the rise and now seepage has become a grave problem for the ground water
department.
Facing a mounting challenge to deal with this excess water, Harit Rajasthan, offers a solution that can not only take care of the surplus water but also change the way the city looks.
The focus is on the city gardens, which include both the public gardens like Mandore, Umaid and Nehru gardens and others in various parts of the city, which unfortunately are in shambles for various reasons.
Divisional commissioner, J P Chandelia says, "We have taken up the issue and work on Mandore garden has already started with the help of Public Works Department (PWD). The Mohalla Vikas Samities' have also been encouraged to take charge of gardens in their respective localities with no dearth of water."
Taking it further, some advocate more focused steps like planting water-absorbing plants and setting up of tube wells in the gardens. Updesh Karan Mathur, chief engineer, Ground Water Department, says, "Water-absorbing and fast-growing plants like Eucalyptus can be planted thickly around the city, especially in the localities where the ground water is too much. Besides, water supply to the gardens should also be increased not only to maintain them properly but to develop them further."
In addition to this talk of making operational the existing fountains in the city which are running dry and installing more such fountains across the city are being considered. The idea has potential though it can add financial burden to the civic bodies, which are facing financial crunch.
The administration is looking at multi-dimensional efforts to resolve the crisis and make most of the opportunity that the Go Green campaign offers. Efforts are on to extract water through pumps from 60 identified points and utilizing it for productive purpose.
"With the mission like this around, what else can be a better productive use of this abundance of water," says Chandelia, whose top priority is to use this water as a catalyst in this ongoing plantation drive across the city.
The authorities are also searching and encouraging users from private and government sector who can optimise the use of this abundant supply. At present, the BSF has been taking this water in the range of 1 lakh to 2 lakh litres, which is expected to be increased up to 5 lakh litres soon. Following their example the army and railways have also shown interest.
Facing a mounting challenge to deal with this excess water, Harit Rajasthan, offers a solution that can not only take care of the surplus water but also change the way the city looks.
The focus is on the city gardens, which include both the public gardens like Mandore, Umaid and Nehru gardens and others in various parts of the city, which unfortunately are in shambles for various reasons.
Divisional commissioner, J P Chandelia says, "We have taken up the issue and work on Mandore garden has already started with the help of Public Works Department (PWD). The Mohalla Vikas Samities' have also been encouraged to take charge of gardens in their respective localities with no dearth of water."
Taking it further, some advocate more focused steps like planting water-absorbing plants and setting up of tube wells in the gardens. Updesh Karan Mathur, chief engineer, Ground Water Department, says, "Water-absorbing and fast-growing plants like Eucalyptus can be planted thickly around the city, especially in the localities where the ground water is too much. Besides, water supply to the gardens should also be increased not only to maintain them properly but to develop them further."
In addition to this talk of making operational the existing fountains in the city which are running dry and installing more such fountains across the city are being considered. The idea has potential though it can add financial burden to the civic bodies, which are facing financial crunch.
The administration is looking at multi-dimensional efforts to resolve the crisis and make most of the opportunity that the Go Green campaign offers. Efforts are on to extract water through pumps from 60 identified points and utilizing it for productive purpose.
"With the mission like this around, what else can be a better productive use of this abundance of water," says Chandelia, whose top priority is to use this water as a catalyst in this ongoing plantation drive across the city.
The authorities are also searching and encouraging users from private and government sector who can optimise the use of this abundant supply. At present, the BSF has been taking this water in the range of 1 lakh to 2 lakh litres, which is expected to be increased up to 5 lakh litres soon. Following their example the army and railways have also shown interest.
