Remotely
sensed data has a very important role to play in ground water management. It
was a challenge to explore the groundwater and rainwater harvesting site in the
Aravalli Precambrian terrain around Delhi India
The
Proutist solution: “The only way to avoid catastrophe is to immediately
implement a decentralized approach to water conservation. The inner spirit of
our water conservation program is that the amount of existing surface water
should be immediately doubled. But it is preferable if it is increased
tenfold.”
The ground
water table has declined and the extraction of ground water is not sustainable.
Multispectral and temporal data from satellite, when integrated with land use –
geological, hydro geological, geomorphologic and magnetic data - have
potentiality for identification of suitable areas for construction of check
dams. Interception of surface run offs by check dams across drainage at
appropriate locations is one method for artificial recharge.
In this
respect Sarkar said:” Why do droughts occur? There are four causes; first is
the wanton destruction of plants or indiscriminate deforestation; the second is
indiscriminate use of subterranean water; the third is the low pressure systems
over oceans and big seas and the fourth is the sudden changes in the angular
movement of the sun and other celestial bodies, like; comets, nebulae and
galaxies. The first and second causes are within the power of man to solve
through his own effort.”
Aravalli
ridge area is lacking sufficient surface water bodies and palaeo channels. Land
use and over exploitation of groundwater has reduced the water table in ridge
areas of Aravalli. It was therefore essential to consider the rain and surface
water parameters for groundwater management.
The rise of
water level has been monitored every month. Similar work was carried in other
areas. The results are encouraging. It is observed that there is substantial
increase in water level after the recharge through check dams. There has been
substantial increase in vegetation canopy cover due to increase of groundwater
level. This has validated by satellite imagery studies.
Sarkar gave
his solution four decades ago. He said: “Aproximately two-thirds of the surface
of the globe is water and one-third is land but due to deforestation the
water
portion is increasing and land portion decreasing.” [Deforestation causes the
rains go to the sea areas and not on the land and ice melting?]
If
deforestation and the indiscriminate exploitation of subterranean water
reserves continue, it is likely that many parts of the world will face severe water
shortages. The only way to avoid such a catastrophe is to immediately implement
a decentralized approach for water conservation.
The banks
of the water systems should be covered by dense forests. The science behind
this is that the roots of the trees retain water. When the water table subsides
the roots of the trees gradually release water. The foliage of the trees also
minimizes evaporation. Besides the leaves of the trees attract clouds, so the
trees increase the rainfall.”
We
considered it essential to plan and execute a scheme to recreate the forest
cover of the last denuded parts of the Aravalli ridge by planting new trees.
The areas where it was decided to do planting on priority bases were: On sides
of roads…around the check dams and any areas were excessive denudation has
occurred.
Qualitative
improvement of groundwater in Aravalli can be qualified by pre- and post
rainwater harvesting studies. This work has a long term economic importance as
well. Eco hydro-morpho-geological plantations in water starved area will be
useful in reducing the air pollution.
The concept
of Shrii Sarkar´s Proutist theory – which analyzes and gives solutions for the
above mentioned matters…vital for the existence of planet earth – should be
popularized amongst the people, aided by latest scientific findings and planned
and executed in projects.
Professor Saumitra Mukherjee, Headmaster of Remote sensing and Geologyschool
of Environmental Nehru University Delhi
Professor Saumitra Mukherjee, Headmaster of Remote sensing and Geology
………………
Sarkar has
related even some increase in heart and mental diseases, cancer, violent
behaviour etc to deforestation. [?] Hence aforestation is required to be
carried out on a war footing. Anyhow he doesn’t recommend eucalyptus for
aforestation, because it draws the water surface down to deeper level, but
eucalyptus can be used in river banks amongst neem and tamarind trees.
According Sarkar the balanced welfare demands that at least 40 % of people work
in agriculture. Sarkar suggest agriculture to be run by cooperatives.
Sarkar´s
love for plants was eye-opener to agriculturalists. He observed that the juice
extracted from the living datepalm trees was harmful for the trees. He was
concerned about their plight and drew our attention to the exploitative
practises involved.
Dr Biswajit Bhowmik, Regional director University, Siliguri, West-Bengal.
Dr Biswajit Bhowmik, Regional director University, Siliguri, West-Bengal.
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Didi Annapurna