Unrestrained ground water extraction will lead to scarcity in Dmr

State level seminar on ground water conservation held at DGC

Morung Express News 
Dimapur | November 4

Observing that unrestrained extraction of ground water in Dimapur will lead to water scarcity in the next 21 years if not checked, Limasunep, Joint Director, Directorate of Soil & Water Conservation, Nagaland stated, several pockets in the commercial district were already facing water scarcity due to depletion of natural ground water levels. At present these affected areas included, ADC court, Lengrijan, Indisen, Aoyimkum and Kacharigaon. 

The official supplemented his claim by revealing that during a physical survey at ADC Court, Dimapur, 350 feet of layers of earth was dug beneath the ground for two bore wells without any availability of ground water. Whereas the Central Ground Water Board of India (CGWB) states that the region is free from water scarcity, ground reality shows a different picture, he said. 

This was made known during a presentation for the state level seminar on water conservation under the theme, ‘Urban Ground Water Management in Nagaland: Issues and the way forward,’ jointly organised by the Jal Shakti team, Dimapur Government College (DGC) & Swachhta Action Plan Committee, Unity College, Dimapur on November 3 at DGC seminar hall. 

No concern for replenishment 
Dimapur, extending to an area of 927 sq. km, receives an average annual rainfall of 1140.6 mm or 1056. 78 million cubic meter (m3). Wherein, 80% of the rainfall, amounting to 0.84 billion m3 are lost in the streams and rivers as runoff and only 20% i.e. 0.21 billion m3 is retained in various forms. As such ground water supply is the most reliable source, he said. The existence of ground water is mostly found in the cracks and spaces of soil, rock and sand formations called aquifers. 

In the context of Dimapur, the quality of ground water is stated to be alkaline in nature with a pH level nearing to 7, which is the permissible level. However, it has a high concentration of iron due to which several filtration methods is required.   
Globally, India is among the major ground water consumers as it is used for drinking and irrigation of farmlands.

According to the Northeast region ground water report, the availability of ground water in Dimapur was 15,320 hectare meter. “Since 2013, the withdrawal of the water amounted to 286.6 hectare meters and if we continue in this trajectory, water shortage will definitely be a reality,” the official claimed. 

Similar to a bank where deposit and withdrawal of money takes place, he explained that, “If we only keep withdrawing all the water without depositing back, it will one day dry up.” As currently there is no concern for replenishment, this is creating further complications for future generations who will suffer the consequences. 

Urbanisation creating challenges for water seepage
For water to properly seep through the ground when it rains, it requires favourable conditions, he mentioned. But due to rapid urbanisation where construction of houses, black-topped roads and concrete open spaces have taken place in Dimapur, rain water mostly gets washed away to the rivers and streams.  

To further complicate the issue is the rise in demand for water from a growing population as well. “Unless we recharge our water levels we will never meet this demand.” 

Practice of rooftop rainwater harvesting crucial    
“We need to have regulation on withdrawing of water,” the official opined. Several colonies in Dimapur have already implemented restrictions on the withdrawal of water through boring wells except for conventional ring-wells. 

Additionally, the practice of rainwater harvesting should be adopted by all households to replenish groundwater levels. In the case of a rooftop rainwater harvesting system, the roof of a house or another building serves as the rainwater collecting area. This is followed by the construction and attachment of cisterns or storage containers, pipes to store the water. 

As well as building a recharge pit to allow rainwater to replenish groundwater levels at the source. 

The government should also make a mandatory law to make rooftop rainwater harvesting practice necessary for all households. “But it depends on you and me to recharge the ground water levels,” he commented. 

Earlier, Prof Sanjay Sharma, Principal, DGC while presenting a short speech, shared his concern about the gravity of water resource problems, which would lead to conflicts among nations if not taken care of.  In the past, global wars were waged due to oil but future conflicts will be fought over water, he remarked. The Principal also mentioned that the North East region received abundant rainfall yet there was decline in the level of underground water, especially for urban areas including Dimapur.

Chairperson, Rukuviu, Assistant professor, Department of Psychology, DGC presided over the seminar while vote of thanks, was presented by Dr Adani Ngullie, coordinator, IQAC, Unity College. 

Source: https://morungexpress.com/unrestrained-ground-water-extraction-will-lead-to-scarcity-in-dmr