Pros and cons of using underground water needs proper research : Experts
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 02 2020: Many experts have pointed out that it is important to analyse and understand any potential future implications before initiating any project for mass scale utilisation of under-ground water in Manipur.

The experts are of the opinion that the officials need to deliberate in minute details and conduct necessary surveys regarding the attempt by the State Government to dig tube well using solar power and use underground water for irrigation purposes.

Pros and cons of using underground water needs proper research : Experts

Speaking to The Sangai Express, Joint Director of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Imphal Centre, Dr I Meghachandra said that till date, underground water has not been properly tapped in Manipur and this water resource is still untouched.

However, this water resource will be totally di- fferent from those found in States like Haryana and Punjab, he explained.

The Joint Director opined that even though Manipur has ample amount of underground water, it will be the most logical and economically viable option to harvesting rain water instead of letting it go waste.

On the other hand, Public Health Engineering Department Geophysicist Keisham Rajen conveyed that the underground water present in various locations of the State are all different when it comes to their depth as well as their purity.

Various factors need to be researched and analysed minutely.

Like for how long a well, if dug, will be able to give water or identifying which area will ensure that the wells never dry up etc, he said, adding that if underground water is har- vested from a proper source, then it will also provide immense benefits to the people.

Agriculture Department Agri Officer (Hqs) AK Chittaranjan opined that if a particular well needs time to recharge its water after it has been used up, then it will not be economical in the long run.

It is also necessary to find out how deep the aquifers are and where they are located, he informed.

Chittaranjan further explained that it is important to analyse if there would be any far reaching implication of using underground water and added that if the underground water gets exhausted, then the locations on the surface where water are collected will also start drying up.

Speaking to this paper, Manipur University Earth Science Department, Seismological Observatory scientist Dr S Manichandra said that the valley region of the State has ample amount of underground water with some areas having this water resource at a depth of around 10-15 feet while others have water at a depth of around 30-40 feet.

The quality and properties of the underground water will differ from location to location.

These underground water sources are often recharged from Kalapahar and Koubru Leikha, he informed.

Directorate of Environment and Climate Change Deputy Director Dr T Brajakumar said that recharging of underground water reserves take a lot of time and the amount of such water reserve is directly proportionate to the amount of moisture in the soil and its fertility.

If the water reserves dry up, then the soil moisture and fertility will decrease drastically, the water on the surface will also start disappearing, he said, stressing on the need to ensure proper harvesting of rain water instead.

On the other hand, it may be mentioned that the Central Ground Water Board had intimated the State Government through a report claiming that Manipur has a large reserve of underground water which can be used for irrigation purposes.