Context: Recently, Ministry of Science & Technology has launched Heli-borne survey technology for ground water management starting from Rajasthan.

• The technology is developed by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI), Hyderabad.

Key highlights

• Aim of the Project: Mapping potential groundwater sources and its management for providing safe drinking water to millions of people living in the water scarce arid regions of our country.
• The mega project of Rs. 150 crores will be implemented in two phases in collaboration with the Ministry of Jal Shakti as a part of National Aquifer Mapping Project.
• The Heli-borne geophysical mapping technique provides a high-resolution 3D image of the sub-surface up to a depth of 500 meters below the ground.
• Aquifer Mapping & Management in Arid Regions will supplement the goals of “Har Ghar Nal Se Jal” scheme, as well as doubling farmers income.
• The technology will provide ground water solutions in the arid and semi-arid regions of North-western India.
• The states included in the survey are: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana

Importance

• Arid areas in north western India cover nearly 12% of the total geographical area of the country with home to more than 8 crore people.
• With an annual rainfall of less than 100 to 400 mm, the area in the four states mentioned, faces an acute shortage of water throughout the year.
• The scheme is proposed to take up high-resolution aquifer mapping and management to augment the groundwater resources.