Geoscientists need to find new groundwater sources: Patel

Worried over possibility of acute water shortage in coming years, Mines Minister Dinsha Patel today said geoscientists should find new groundwater sources in the country.
"Demand for agricultural and drinking water is ever increasing. I visualise an acute problem of water shortage in the coming years. I would request the geoscientific community to join hands in locating new groundwater sources to mitigate the drinking water problem," Patel said here.
Speaking at a function to present National Geoscience Awards, 2011, the Minister said discovering of the new sources would especially help women, living in desert, coastal and rock terrains, who have to walk long distances to fetch drinking water.

He also asked geoscientists to take up in-depth studies and suggest measures for addressing groundwater contamination problems.
"Besides they should also carry out research on the aspects of industrial effluents contaminating groundwater and suggest remedies," Patel said.
Geoscientists have a crucial role to play in the field of environmental safeguard, the Minister said, adding they should suggest green measures to mitigate the effects of pollution arising from mineral and mining industries so as to ensure a clean and healthy environment for the present and posterity.