Falling groundwater levels lead to large-scale aquifer recharge project in Athani
Athani: The Minor Irrigation Department of Athani has suggested an experimental groundwater recharge project aimed at raising the rapidly dropping water table. This project will include injecting surface water from seasonal streams and nalas directly into subsurface aquifers via a network of pierced borewells.
According to Deccan Herald, the department plans to drill around 1,000 borewells across Athani taluk in Belagavi district, with each borewell spaced roughly 500 metres apart along 10 to 12 nalas, under the proposal. The project is estimated to cost ₹25 crore and will be taken up as a Managed Aquifer Recharge initiative. This method will allow surface water to be channelled into aquifers for long-term storage.
According to officials, the project is being considered following severe groundwater depletion, as farmers are now drilling borewells beyond depths of 800 feet to access water. DH quoted Praveen Patil, assistant executive engineer of the Minor Irrigation Department in Athani, as saying that sustained over-extraction has pushed groundwater levels to alarming lows and that the department has been studying the geology of the area for nearly a decade. He further said that the department believes conditions are suitable for implementing the recharge plan.
The department conducted a pilot exercise along the Agrani river. Two borewells were drilled on the riverbank, allowing floodwater to flow naturally into the wells during high discharge, while officials also observed a positive impact on groundwater levels within a radius of nearly two kilometres from the test sites.
Calling Managed Aquifer Recharge a proven technique that can replenish groundwater faster and in larger volumes compared to conventional methods, experts told DH that the process uses storm water, surface runoff or treated wastewater to recharge aquifers during periods of surplus availability.
According to water expert Veena Srinivasan, recharging efforts may fail if silt accumulation is not addressed. She further told DH that long-term groundwater sustainability necessitates adjustments in agricultural practices that can maintain soil moisture while allowing precipitation to percolate naturally.
DH quoted S Vishwanath, a water conservation specialist, who called Managed Aquifer Recharge an environmentally sound technique as it uses monsoon flows rather than summer water extraction. Warning about poor design or a lack of filtration, he said it might lead borewells to fill with silt and pollutants, which may render the system inoperable.
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Criminal carrying reward of Rs 25,000 arrested following encounter in UP's Ballia
Ballia (UP) (PTI): Police in the Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh arrested a criminal carrying a reward of Rs 25,000 on his head following an encounter late on Saturday night, a police official said, adding that he sustained a gunshot injury on his left leg.
Additional Superintendent of Police (South) Kripa Shankar said that acting on a tip-off, a team of the Garhwar police station and the SOG (Special Operations Group) attempted to apprehend the wanted criminal at around 10.15 pm on Saturday. Upon realising that he was surrounded by the police, the criminal allegedly fired at the police.
The police fired in self-defence, and the criminal sustained injuries on his left leg, the officer said, adding that he was subsequently arrested.
He has been identified as Tenger Nat (35), a resident of the Kharhatar village under the Gadwar police station area.
According to the ASP, Nat has been sent to the community health centre in Ratsar, where he is currently undergoing treatment.
The arrested accused has allegedly been involved in numerous incidents of theft in Garhwar, Sukhpura, and Nagra police station areas of the district.
The police recovered a country-made pistol and cartridges from his possession.
