Patna: Patna University (PU) vice-chancellor, Ajay Kumar Singh, on Monday called upon the geoscientists to find ways and means for conservation of groundwater resources in water-scarce regions and save the teeming million from hunger and thirst. He also appealed to the people to take necessary steps for stopping the indiscriminate exploitation of groundwater for domestic and irrigation purposes. Inaugurating a three-day national workshop on ‘Sustainable management of groundwater resources‘, organised by PU geology department in collaboration with the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), mid-eastern region, the vice-chancellor expressed concern at the depleting groundwater level in different areas of the country, including Bihar, and pleaded for sustainable development of this resource. He also urged the scientists to work hard for removal of pollution load from the groundwater resources. CGWB’s regional director Rajeev Ranjan Shukla, PU geology department head Anil Kumar and Patna Science College principal Atul Aditya Pandey highlighted the growing importance of groundwater resources in boosting the national economy. Workshop convener Bhavuk Sharma, in his welcome address, said that sponsored by Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), the workshop is being attended by scientists from different organisations, including GSI, CGWB, IIT, JNU, Cluster University, Delhi University and other academic institutions from across the country. PU geology teacher Sayema Jamal proposed a vote of thanks.
