The National Ground Water Award and 20 Ground Water Augmentation Awards were given to organizations that have done exemplary work in the field of ground water augmentation, water conservation, reuse and recycling.

Bangalore: Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal, the Union Minister of Water Resources presented the ‘National Ground Water Award’ and twenty ‘Ground Water Augmentation Awards’ to the organizations that have done exemplary work in the field of ground water augmentation, water conservation, reuse and recycling. The National Ground Water Award carry Rs 10 Lakh and a citation and the Ground Water Augmentation Awards carry Rs 1 Lakh each and a citation.

Highlighting the importance of Water Conservation and Augmentation, the Minister said that Government’s efforts in this field have to be complimetary by each section of the society including NGOs and Voluntary Organisations.

Shri Bansal also dedicated a “Web enabled Ground Water Information System” to the Nation on this occasion. Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) under the ministry and NIC has jointly developed the web-enabled Ground Water Information System that will provide ground water related spatial and non spatial data in seamless manner to the users through internet. This web enabled system shall revolutionize the whole concept of ground water information availability to the citizens as well as others professional organizations. Now even a farmer can access ground water information for the village through the e-kiosks being set up all over the country.

Earlier Shri U.N Panjiar, Secretary, M/o Water Resources inaugurated the ‘World Water Day function and the National Ground Water Congress” here today. He released the publication of ‘2nd National Ground Water Congress’.

The Ministry of Water Resources observed World “Water Day – 2010” by organizing ‘National Ground Water Congress’ here today.The broad objectives of the Congress were to deliberate on various issues of ground water management; promote conservation and augmentation of ground water resources through artificial recharge and rain water harvesting; increase water literacy; propose national strategy for sustainable ground water security in terms of quantity and quality through social mobilization etc.

Dr M S Swaminathan , the Member of Parliament and an agricultural scientist of international repute and winner of Ramon Magsaysay Award also addressed the gathering. Shri B.M. Jha, Chairman CGWB while welcoming the dignitaries dwelt upon the works done by CGWB. The function as well as the congress was attended by scientists, engineers, planners, policy makers and representatives of industries, NGOs, VOs and Stakeholders.

‘The National Ground Water Award’ worth Rs 10 Lakh has been presented to ‘Vruksha Prem Seva Trust , Rajkot, Gujarat’.

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