A Historic Initiative for Water Conservation in Uttarakhand: A New Chapter in Groundwater Recharge Begins from Gairsain

Aug 2025 : A historic initiative for water conservation has begun in Uttarakhand with a new chapter in groundwater recharge starting from Gairsain. To address the challenge of water scarcity in the state, a significant new initiative was launched today. In an event held at the Assembly building in Bharaid Sain, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Assembly Speaker Ritu Khanduri Bhushan inaugurated the “Direct Injection Water Source Recharge Scheme” in collaboration with Swami Ram University, Jolly Grant. During this occasion, a photo collection titled “Vibrant Birds of Kotdwara” was also released.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that the state government is committed to addressing the water crisis by adopting technological innovations. He emphasized that this is a commendable effort in the field of water conservation. Assembly Speaker Ritu Khanduri Bhushan noted that water conservation is not just an environmental necessity but the lifeline for Uttarakhand’s future. She said, “Groundwater recharge will be the foundation of future water security. This scheme will prove to be a milestone in the direction of sustainable water management and conservation in Uttarakhand.”

During the program, it was informed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on July 8, 2025, between the International Parliamentary Studies, Research, and Training Institute, Bharaid Sain, and Swami Ram Himalayan University for the effective implementation of this project. Under the Direct Injection Water Source Recharge Scheme, treated rainwater will be injected into inactive hand pumps to increase groundwater levels. This technique has been developed by experts from Swami Ram Himalayan University, Jolly Grant. In the first phase of the scheme, 20 selected hand pumps in the summer capital Gairsain and the Chaikhutia development block will be recharged and made functional again. This effort is being regarded as a milestone towards a sustainable solution for water management in Uttarakhand.

On this occasion, the university’s technical team, including Professor H.P. Uniyal, Nitesh Kaushik, Sujit Thapliyal, Rajkumar Verma, Atul Uniyal, Abhishek Uniyal, and Shakti Bhatt, presented a detailed explanation of the technical process of the scheme. They demonstrated how this technology filters and treats rainwater, directly reaching groundwater reserves, causing dry hand pumps to become functional again. A documentary prepared by the university, showcasing the technology applied in the villages of Gairsain and its results, was also displayed during the event.

Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal, Agriculture Minister Ganesh Joshi, legislators, secretaries from various departments, senior officials from the Assembly Secretariat, and officials from Swami Ram University were present on this occasion.

*Information and Public Relations Department.*