TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
THE CONTEXT: In a proactive measure to secure water for the future, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has initiated a Shallow Aquifer Management (SAM) model on a pilot basis.
EXPLANATION:
- This project aims to address critical issues such as groundwater depletion, the drying up of borewells, and the quick flooding of city streets.
Shallow Aquifer Management (SAM) Model
- It is a sustainable urban water management technique It involves drilling shallow water borewells to pump out water.
- The underneath layers are recharged during rainfall causing rise in water tables.
- The primary goal of the SAM model is to implement sustainable urban water management techniques.
- The initiative falls under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) scheme by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
- By focusing on shallow aquifers, the project seeks to:
- Recharge underground water layers.
- Enhance the water table levels.
- Mitigate urban flooding.
- Ensure a sustainable water supply for urban areas.
Pilot Project Sites
- The GHMC has selected five municipal parks for the SAM project, with two parks in the LB Nagar zone being chosen for pilot implementation:
- Kakatiya Park at Habsiguda
- E-sector Park at Sainikpuri
- These sites will serve as testbeds for the SAM model, which will be overseen by the National Institute of Urban Affairs, the nodal implementation agency.
- The SAM model involves the following technical interventions:
- Drilling Shallow Water Injection Borewells: Borewells will be drilled to a depth of 100-120 feet to access shallow aquifers.
- Water Injection and Recharge: Water will be pumped into the shallow aquifers, allowing the layers underneath to recharge during rainfall. This process will collect water from the surrounding watershed and channel it through recharge pits.
- Recently, the SAM team conducted a demonstration at the Kakatiya Nagar colony park to explain the solution to local residents.
- The park boasts a watershed capacity of 44.6 crore litres and an annual rainfall potential of 53 lakh litres.
- Additional Commissioner (Urban Biodiversity) Sunanda Rani and Kalpana Ramesh from The Rainwater Project highlighted how the SAM model will:
- Recharge groundwater aquifers in the surrounding areas.
- Gradually improve the groundwater levels.
- Provide a sustainable solution to water management in urban areas.
Expected Impact
- The SAM project is expected to have several positive impacts:
- Groundwater Recharge: By injecting water into shallow aquifers, the project aims to significantly enhance groundwater recharge.
- Increased Water Table: The recharged aquifers will help raise the water table, making groundwater more accessible.
- Flood Mitigation: Improved management of rainwater will help reduce the incidence of urban flooding.
- Sustainable Water Supply: The initiative will contribute to a more reliable and sustainable water supply for the city’s residents.
Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) scheme:
- Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) was launched on 25th June 2015 in selected 500 cities and towns across the country.
- The Mission focuses on development of basic infrastructure, in the selected cities and towns, in the sectors of water supply; sewerage and septage management; storm water drainage; green spaces and parks; and non-motorized urban transport.
- A set of Urban Reforms and Capacity Building have been included in the Mission.
- AMRUT Mission has been subsumed under AMRUT 2.0, which was launched on 1st October, 2021and ongoing projects of AMRUT 1.0 will be funded with CA till 31st March, 2023.
- Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0 scheme, which has been launched on 01 October, 2021 for the period of 05 years i.e. from the financial year 2021-22 to the financial year 2025-26, is designed to provide universal coverage of water supply through functional taps to all households in all the statutory towns in the country and coverage of sewerage/septage management in 500 cities covered in first phase of the AMRUT scheme.
Purpose
- Ensure that every household has access to a tap with assured supply of water and a sewerage connection
- Increase the amenity value of cities by developing greenery and well maintained open spaces (e.g. parks)
- Reduce pollution by switching to public transport or constructing facilities for non-motorized transport (e.g. walking and cycling).
- All these outcomes are valued by citizens, particularly women, and indicators and standards have been prescribed by the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) in the form of Service Level Benchmarks (SLBs).
Thrust Areas
- Water supply
- Sewerage facilities and Septage management
- Storm water drains to reduce flooding
- Pedestrian, non-motorized and public transport facilities, parking spaces
- Enhancing amenity value of cities by creating and upgrading green spaces, parks and recreation centers, especially for children.
- Since GMDA, Jal Board are involved in number of water supply projects hence no project is submitted for water supply. On the basis of mandatory component Parks & Open Spaces SLIP has been proposed.
