Professional Documents
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A GUIDE TO FOLLOW
SEPTEMBER, 2000
MESSAGE
Prof. Moegiadi
Director UNESCO New Delhi Office and
UNESCO Representative to Bhutan, India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka
Although the total amount of water on Earth is generally assumed to have remained virtually
constant, the rapid growth in population, together with the extension of irrigated agriculture and
industrial development, are putting stress on the quality and quantity aspects of natural system. In
the face of growing problems, society has begun to realize that it can no longer subscribe to a ‘use
and discard’ philosophy – either with water resources or any other natural resources.
Thus, as a contribution to solving world’s water problems, UNESCO began in 1965 the first
worldwide programme of studies of the hydrological cycle, the International Hydrological Decade
(IHD). The research programme was complemented by a major effort in the field of hydrological
education and training. Conscious of the need to expand upon the efforts initiated during the
International Hydrological Decade and further to the recommendations of Member States,
UNESCO launched a long-term intergovernmental programme in 1975, the International
Hydrological programme. Although IHP is basically a scientific and educational programme,
UNESCO has been aware from outset of the need to direct its activities towards finding practical
solutions to the world’s very real water resources problems.
Under IHP Programmes of UNESCO New Delhi Office we are happy to collaborate with the
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), Ministry of Water Resources in educating the NGOs and
other interested organizations in the country as well in the region through this guide on rainwater
harvesting and artificial recharge.
As you read this guide, seriously consider conserving the water by water harvesting and manage
this natural resource by artificially recharging the system. The examples covering several dozen
installations successfully operating in India constructed and maintained by CGWB, provide an
excellent snapshot of current systems.
In bringing out this guide, Dr. D.K. Chaddha, Chairman, Central Ground Water Board has played
a key role and he deserves all appreciation. I would like to acknowledge UNESCO New Delhi
Office staff Dr. R. Jayakumar for his help in compiling and editing this guide in the final form.
RAIN WATER HARVESTING AND
ARTIFICIAL RECHARGE TO GROUND
WATER
8. To raise the water levels in wells & bore wells that are drying up.
8. Saving of energy per well for lifting of ground water – a one meter
rise in water level saves about 0.40 KWH of electricity.
COST
The cost of each recharge structure varies from place to place. The
approximate cost of the following structures are as under:-
Sub surface dykes are suitable for valley and streams where:-
- Recharge through 2 injection wells in IIT Delhi has been 830 cum
with a rise in water level from 0.29 to 0.87 m and benefited area
of 1 hectare.
Gabion Structure
Recharge Through Trench
Recharge Pit
Shaft with Borewell
Nala Bund
Brahm Sarovar, Kurukshetra
Recharge Pit
For further technical information and inputs please contact:
Dr. D. K. Chadha
Chairman
Central Ground Water Board
Jamnagar House, Mansingh Road
New Delhi-110011
Tel: 011- 3383561
Fax: 011- 3386743
Email: niccgwb@sansad.nic.in
or
Dr. R. JayaKumar
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO)
Unesco House
8, Poorvi Marg
Vasant Vihar
New Delhi-110057
Tel: 011- 6140038/39,7310, 6146308
Fax: 011 - 6143351, 6142714
Email: r.jaykumar@unesco.org