Scientists discuss hydro-geology of springs in Sikkim

Karfectar, May 13 : The Sikkim government conducted a workshop on hydro-geology to bring about a better understanding of geo-hydrology of springs to make the planning of the ongoing Dhara Vikas programme more scientific.

In the mountain terrain ground water is stored in the rocks. Its accumulation and flow depends on the type and structure of rocks.

Hence understanding the geology is imperative in order to identify the type of spring and the recharge zone so as to take up artificial recharge work.

Based on this artificial recharge measures can be appropriately designed and implemented, participants at the workshop said.

The four-day workshop on 'Hydro-geology in context of springs of Sikkim' under the MGNREGA-Dhara Vikas programme, was organised jointly by the Rural Management and Development Department (RM and DD) and State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD) with technical support agencies ARGHYAM Bangalore, ACWADAM Pune, WWF Sikkim and TMI (The Mountain Institute). It concluded on May ten.

Main technical support for the workshop was provided by Mr.

Devdutt Upasani, scientist from ACWADAM, Pune (Advanced Center for Water Resources Development and Management). He is experienced in water conservation initiatives in similar mountain terrain in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and the Western Ghats.

ACWADAM is a knowledge centre on ground water resources and is actively working with partners in several parts of the country.

Other resource persons for the workshop were Dr P.K.Das Assistant Hydro-Geologist from Central Ground Water Board, Kolkata, Mr.Dinesh Bhutia, Director SIRD, Dr Sandeep Tambe Additional Secretary RM and DD, Dr Ghanashyam Bastola from The Mountain Institute-India and Ms.

Priya Shrestha from WWF-India.

The participants were field facilitators of all the Block Administrative Centres of Sikkim, research scholars from Asoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment in Sikkim, Gangtok along with members of Non Governmental Organizations, Panchayats and barefoot engineers.

The team visited the Poison lake at Rinchenpong, West Sikkim, and Tamley lake at Mungran which have dried up, and discussed measures to revive these.

Of the five types of springs in the Himalayas--depression, contact, fault, fracture and karsts--the team could locate four during the field visit.


--UNI