ACF to partner Gujarat in river interlinking plan

The Ambuja Cement Foundation (ACF), a non-profit, non-government organisation set up by Gujarat Ambuja Cements Limited (GACL), is set to be a partner in the Gujarat government's ambitious project to inter-link rivers in the state.

ACF will partner the government to inter linking three rivulets Goma, Somat and Singoda in the Kodinar taluka of Junagadh district. The cost of the project is estimated to be around Rs 2 crore, with (GoG) funding over 60 per cent of the project cost. The project will be implemented by the ACF.

"The coastal areas of Gujarat are suffering from salinity ingress. Most rivulets that drain this region like Goma, Somat and Singoda are seasonal at most and their water does not last beyond winters. Other aquifers like ponds, fed by these rivers, also dry up soon. Our plan is to divert the water of these rivers to other rivers and nearby water bodies like ponds and aquifiers to minimise outflow to the sea."

H S Patel, joint president, Gujarat Ambuja Cements Ltd said on Sunday.

The cultivation of highly water intensive crops like sugarcane, banana, betel-nut leaves, wheat and coconut amongst others has resulted in lowering of the water table and ingress of saline water into the ground water, which has far reaching implications for both household and agricultural uses of water.

The availability of fresh water has steadily declined resulting in increased dependence on the outside agencies like the state and other civil society organisations for the basic needs drinking water amongst others.

Conflicts has also arisen in the past over access to limited fresh water resources available in the region.

"The concept of interlinking of rivulets and water bodies has been applied in salinity-affected areas of Kodinar by ACF, where rivers drain the local watershed area and most of the water used to run - off to the sea.

"These rivers recharge ground water in this region and therefore the network also includes other existing water harvesting structures and water bodies like tidal regulators and ponds amongst others. Under this interlinking project excess water is diverted from one source to another," said Haribhai R Modi, senior manager, Gujarat Ambuja Cement Foundation.

Recognising the work done by ACF in the direction of salinity ingress mitigation, ACF has been nominated as member in the state level steering committee constituted by the Government of Gujarat for further replication of the programme of salinity prevention in the state's coastal areas.