Harvesting rain artificially by creating structures like ponds, lakes, reservoirs has been practiced all over the world and has a very ancient history and tradition. There are many structures that are existing in Pune city that are harvesting rainwater and providing water for drinking and domestic use. Khadakwasla dam is the main harvesting structure that provides drinking and domestic water to the Punekars. Despite these main drinking and domestic sources, now it has been coming out that approximately 5 TMC of groundwater has been extracted from the Aquifers of Pune city.
Looking at the growth of the city in the last 20-25 years and estimating the water requirement for next 30 years. It’s been proposed that by 2030 Pune will require approximately 23 TMC water and therefore groundwater extraction will increase multifold in near future from existing groundwater sources and from new sources that people will take to cater to the demand. Increasing infrastructure by constructing roads, pavement areas in the common amenity spaces, and physical removal of aquifer material from shallow unconfined areas shall have been accelerating the depletion of groundwater from the aquifers of Pune city.
Therefore, to spread awareness and information on these precious, important, and depleting resources (i: e groundwater). It is necessary to focus on promoting rainwater harvesting through artificial groundwater recharge.
Looking at urban sprawl and its challenges. it is necessary to arrange training programs for the community, volunteers, sector workers, and contractors of rainwater harvesting jobs to understand nuances, plan and implement public recharge structures; policy advocacy for legislation aimed at protecting and preserving recharge zones; taking efforts for artificial rainwater harvesting at all levels to elevate and maintain groundwater levels all across Pune city based on Pune’s Aquifer recharge area.
