“The Earth is what we all have in common” rightly said by Wendel Berry.
The rapid pace of development has overladen our environment with changes which need to be corrected for reinstatement of the natural resources. The survival and existence of all living beings is dependent on the availability of natural resources specifically ‘Air and Water’. It is the need of the hour to protect our environment and it take it as our individual responsibility to make multilateral efforts towards preservation of our environment and society. Some efforts made by the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Shri Ramswaroop Memorial University in the field of water and environment have been highlighted below:
Water Safety Awareness Campaign
An outreach program on “Water Safety, Conservation and Cleanliness” was organised by the Faculty of Civil Engineering in association with WaterAid on 5th September, 2019. The main aim of outreach program spread awareness about the importance of water safety, conservation and cleanliness amongst the population of Tindola, Barabanki.
The awareness campaign was conducted in the various schools of Tindola village, Barabanki including ‘Prathmik Vidyalaya, Tindola I, Dewa, Barabanki’ and ‘Divya Jyoti Inter College’. The campaign was initiated by Dean, FoCE, Prof. (Dr.) Abhishek Saxena along with the faculty members of the Faculty of Civil Engineering (FoCE) in which they interacted with the students and conducted various activities for them.
Water Safety Awareness Campaign at the primary school in Tindola
Interaction of Dr. Abhishek Saxena and Ms. Sarah Sheikh with the students
Various events and prize distribution amongst students
Newspaper article on Water Safety Campaign in Dainik Jagran
Informative insights on the relevance of health and hygiene by Dr. Rakesh Varma
Poster prepared by the volunteer students
Groundwater Survey in Lucknow city
The study was conducted by the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Shri Ramswaroop Memorial University, Barabanki in association with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) for ground water survey in the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow between November 2019 and January 2020. In this survey, students collected data about water requirement and utilization in domestic and commercial areas through an application (app) provided by TERI. This data was collected to promote database generation for tabulation of water demand in the city. Prior to the commencement of project, a workshop was also organized by TERI to impart them with relevant training and inputs. This project emerged as a huge effort and contribution towards the welfare and development of society.
Workshop towards briefing the students about site visit
‘E Collect App’
Quality assessment of drinking water sources near the Thermal Power Plant at Panki
A study for groundwater quality assessment at PTPS, Panki, Kanpur was conducted to analyse the status of groundwater pollution due to ash ponds in thermal power plant. The study was conducted in association with National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), Roorkee for assessing the water quality of nearby areas and creating awareness amongst the local population about the various ailments caused due to drinking of contaminated water.
Sample locations and field collection of water samples by lead expert of the project (Prof.) Dr. Abhishek Saxena
Water Quality Assessment in various districts of Ghaghra Basin with special reference to Arsenic Toxicology
The present study will help the local community to curb the ailments from drinking of arsenic contaminated groundwater. The findings will help the government officials to decipher the arsenic free groundwater depth zones, where new handpumps and tube well could be instated to get arsenic free drinking water. The main purpose of this assignment is to achieve the goal of improving the understanding of arsenic contamination in the study area by looking into geogenic and anthropogenic sources of arsenic contamination and formulate the arsenic management plan.
Study Area of Ghagra Basin
Ground Water Management Plan for Yamuna Basin
The groundwater model is prepared for the study area comprises parts of Agra and Firozabad districts, which are geologically located on Quaternary sediments and are differentiated into Older and Newer Alluvium. Activities performed in this assignment are as follow:
1. Select stressed block/blocks located in a defined watershed/sub basin.
2. Map ground water resource annual recharge, pattern of drawl and the availability (as per the latest estimation)
3. Delineate ground water zones for different water level depth ranges.
4. Map the pattern of ground water level decline in different areas.
5. Select and prioritize the critical zones for taking-up various measures.
6. Preparation of GIS based thematic layers for groundwater levels
7. Study the possible impact of various interventions/activities (already implemented) on ground water resource.
8. Analyze all the available data/information given by the Groundwater Department to evaluate the prospects/possibilities of water conservation practices.
9. Analyze and suggest the scenarios with clear recommendations that upto what extent ground water conditions could be improved with the proposed interventions/ activities (through Groundwater Modelling scenario runs)
Groundwater conceptual model, pre-development
Live Lecture by Prof. (Dr.) Abhishek Saxena on World Health Day’ - 2019
Addressal of Prof. (Dr.) Abhishek Saxena on the Occasion of ‘World Health Day’ - 2019