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200km Ancient River Channel Boosts Uttar Pradesh Water Security
17 Sep
Summary
- Ancient 200km river channel mapped beneath Ganges-Yamuna Doab.
- Managed Aquifer Recharge project launched to replenish groundwater.
- Six pilot sites chosen for groundwater recharge structure monitoring.
In Uttar Pradesh, a significant scientific effort is underway to enhance groundwater conservation and ensure long-term water security. Researchers have identified a roughly 200-km-long ancient river channel, or paleochannel, extending beneath the Ganges-Yamuna Doab region between Kanpur and Prayagraj. Scientists believe these subsurface remnants continue to function as natural conduits for groundwater flow.
A Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) project, valued at Rs 1.65 crore, has been launched with the objective of directing surface rainwater directly into underground aquifers. This three-year initiative, funded by the National Mission for Clean Ganga and executed by the Uttar Pradesh Ground Water Department, aims to bolster depleted water reserves.
Advanced techniques, including helicopter-borne geophysical surveys and borehole logging, were employed by scientists from CSIR-NGRI in Hyderabad to map these deep aquifers and ancient river courses. The project will initially focus on six pilot locations to test and monitor the efficacy of various recharge structures in different geological conditions.
Successful methods will inform a wider expansion across suitable areas in the Ganges-Yamuna Doab. The initiative also includes public awareness campaigns to promote local water conservation practices, strengthening the state's commitment to water security through scientific intervention.
