Patna: Geoscientists and hydrologists of the state on Friday emphasised the need of conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater for sustainable and integrated water resources management in the state.Participating at a dialogue-cum-workshop on groundwater utilisation organised by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), mid-eastern region, here on Friday they stressed that the coordinated and scientific utilization of both resources would enhance water availability, maintain a balance in groundwater extraction, and ensure long-term water security.They also pleaded for continuous coordination and technical collaboration between Central and state agencies engaged in the exploitation of surface and subsurface water resources.Addressing the workshop as the chief guest, the engineer-in-chief of Lower Ganga Basin Organisation, Ajay Kumar, appreciated the recent initiative of the CGWB for dissemination of scientific data on availability of groundwater resources in the light of aquifer mapping activities undertaken in the state. He pleaded for judicious use of surface and ground waters in water-scarce regions.CGWB’s regional director Rajeev Ranjan Shukla, in his address, pointed out that the primary objective of the state dialogue programme is to share scientific groundwater data, outcome of studies, with all the concerned departments so that these can be effectively utilized in planning, policy formulation, and effective groundwater management. He further stated that such dialogue programmes provide an effective platform for understanding the needs and expectations of the state, enabling the CGWB to extend more meaningful technical support and scientific assistance in the future.Representatives from Central Water Commission, state water resources department, minor water resources department, Bihar State Pollution Control Board, and directorate of land conservation deliberated on issues like national aquifer mapping, study in Patna urban agglomeration groundwater quality, and dissemination of groundwater data.CGWB senior scientist Debojyoti Mondal, made a detailed presentation on the mandatory requirement of obtaining a no objection certificate (NOC) for groundwater extraction by industries, infrastructure, and mining sectors, as well as the Central Groundwater Authority (CGWA) guidelines for abstraction of ground water.—
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