Port Blair, July 5: The School of Agriculture of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has launched a new programme-Certificate Programme in Water Harvesting & Management (CWHM). The main objectives of the Progarmme is to sensitizing and educating learners on augmentation and utilization of water resources; imparting knowledge, skills and expertise to understand water harvesting techniques; enabling learners to act as trainers and organizers at household and community levels for efficient water management in terms of its usage and also for water conservation.
Rainwater harvesting essentially means collection and storage of the rainwater from rooftop or from a surface catchments for future use. This takes care of the ever growing requirement for water, increases soil moisture level, thereby enhancing urban greenery, rise in the ground water table through artificial recharge and also improves quality of ground water. Town planners and civic authorities all over the country have introduced by-laws for encouraging rainwater harvesting. Despite various initiatives including legislative measures, very little rainfall is conserved and harvested. There is a tremendous possibility for harnessing the rainwater for augmenting the existing water resources. This calls for generating mass awareness and dissemination of knowledge and skills with regard to rain water harvesting techniques and management for the optimal use of harvested water through trained human resource. This programme would especially be useful for those living in water scarce and drought prone areas
The six month programme, in English Medium, consists of 16 credits with three theory courses namely: Introduction to Water Harvesting, Basics of Hydrology and Water Harvesting, Conservation and one Practical course namely, Practical Training at Water Harvesting Agency (Fee: Rs. 2,400/-). All 10th pass students from any recognized board (any stream) are eligible for Certificate Programme in Water Harvesting & Management. Now the admission for July 2019 Academic session is open at IGNOU website: www.ignou.ac.in. Interested students may contact Dr.Mukesh Kumar, Programme Coordinator, School of Agriculture, IGNOU, HQ, New Delhi, ph No.011-29572971, email: mkumar@ignou.ac.in