STUDY Partners:NLC has sanctioned Rs. 42 lakh to the Department of Earth Sciences of the university to study properties of surface water bodies.— Photo: Special Arrangement

Date | Sept 08, 2016: NLC is backing a research programme undertaken by the Department of Earth Sciences, Annamalai University to study the properties of surface water bodies for sustainable desilting and restoration operations.

NLC is involved in lignite mining in three opencast mines with total capacity of 28.50 MTPA to meet the fuel requirement of Thermal Power Stations (TPS), having total capacity of 2990 MW in Neyveli, Tamil Nadu. The mines and TPS are located within the Neyveli Hydro-geological basin with a unique hydrological setting.

In order to maintain groundwater balance in the basin, NLC is constantly involved in enhancing the groundwater potential of the region through various integrated studies. NLC has also proposed to take further scientific studies to maintain the potential and quality of groundwater to suit the changes from time to time.

This will help for the sustainable development of mines and industrial complex in this region. In connection with the same, NLC India Ltd has sanctioned Rs. 42 lakh through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) schemes to study about the suitable surface water for desilting and restoration with special reference to sustainable management of groundwater suing Geospatial Technology.

Dr. S. Manian, Vice-Chancellor of Annamalai University said that this type of industry-academia collaborative research activities were the need of the hour. The study will facilitate 1,000 villages to get perennial supply for irrigation and ensure food security.

The principal investigator of the project Dr. S. Vasudevan said that the objective of the study was to identify the suitable water body for desilting, rejuvenation and restoration of lakes and also to complement sustainable management of groundwater in this region.

Dr. T. Ramkumar, Coordinator of the programme has highlighted the significance of desilting that will increase the water holding capacity of the lake, which will improve the irrigation of land in nearby villages.

Dr. Subir Das (Director), NLC India Ltd highlighted the vitality of judicially managing the groundwater resources available in the Neyveli hydro-geological basin for safe lignite mining for power generation in a sustainable manner and maintaining the eco-fragile system.

(Source: http://www.thehindu.com/)