News and Articles

The report reviews compilation of information about arsenic pollution in groundwater experienced by many countries in the world and in particular the eight districts of West Bengal. The science of arsenic pollution and the state of art of arsenic removal have been discussed and some immediate remedial measures suggested.

The study deals with estimation of surface soil properties in Malaprabha command area. It can be broadly concluded that generalization of soil properties for an area is difficult since the soil and land use type varies drastically from one point to another in a short distance. It is only possible to have an average value for a particular type of soil. Also, it can be seen from the results that the percentage of silt-clay plays an important role in shaping the hydraulic properties of a soil.

The report presents a study of the Rakaskop tank, which caters to the drinking and domestic water purposes of the Belgaum city of Karnataka. In recent past, it has been observed that the amount of water stored during the monsoon season is not sufficient for domestic purposes in the city throughout the year. The study estimates the dependable yield of the tank and also the evaporation from the tank.

The report presents the study on the physio-chemical properties of soil for Basantar catchment in Jammu and Kashmir. Soil physio-chemical properties are basic inputs for any hydrological modeling and are important for efficient management of irrigated agriculture. The most important soil properties influencing irrigation are its infiltration characteristics and water holding capacity. Other soil properties such as soil texture, soil structure, capillary conductivity, soil profile conditions, and depth of water table are also given consideration in the management of irrigation water.

The report deals with the modeling of the Cochin estuary along Kerala coast using two- dimensional finite element model. The basic equations for modeling of any surface water problems are the three dimensional hydrodynamic equations arising from consideration of mass and momentum conservation. In vertically well mixed shallow water bodies, the horizontal components of flow quantities are normally much more significant than vertical components.

In this study, a two layered finite difference method has been generated for groundwater flow analysis of Ghataprabha sub-basin of Krishna river basin. The conceptual model has been calibrated for steady state conditions and validated for both steady state and transient conditions through USGS, 3D Finite Difference Code and MODFLOW. Various applications were tried out on the calibrated model, like River-Drain influencing the aquifer, reasons for waterlogging and drying out of wells and well design strategies.

In this report, groundwater quality scenarios of the worst affected region of Nargund-Navalgund area of Malaprabha command in Dharwar, Karnataka have been simulated through a three dimensional finite difference code SWIFT III. Mathematical modeling of the groundwater quality was done on a local rather than a larger regional scale.

Dr. G. D. Agrawal Scientist and Rishi

Meeting Dr. G. D. Agrawal in his spartan, two room cottage in Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh, you would never guess what an accomplished and distinguished scientist he is – first Member-Secretary of the Government of India’s Central Pollution Control Board, former Head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at IIT Kanpur and a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley. The list goes on and on.

Yet this eminent professional sweeps his own floors, washes his own clothes and cooks his own meals. He retains only a few possessions and dresses in homespun khadi. At the age of 76, his main mode of transport within Chitrakoot is a bicycle and when he travels further afield, he goes by ordinary bus and second-class train. These are the deliberate choices of a devout Hindu whose deepest values are for simplicity and reverence for nature. Dr G.D. Agrawal is the doyen of environmental engineering professionals in India. Well past retirement, he continues to teach and inspire students as an Honorary Professor of Environmental Sciences at the Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya, in Chitrakoot (M.P.).

dear all, I have sent several mail to concern department including minster jairam romesh regarding the Protecting PILI river , due to filling pond , taal , river land , dam to a river land encroachment in my village KOPA , Unfortunately, I still haven't received my reply .

In the present study, an attempt has been made to estimate the soil erosion rate in Malaprabha representative basin by using WEPP model and Universal Soil Loss Equation. Soil erosion and sedimentation are the two important natural processes, which need immediate attention from the scientific community. Two major types of erosion are geological erosion and erosion from human or animal activities.