Jamia students conduct study to revive water bodies
Three teams of the Department of Civil Engineering, Jamia Millia Islamia, each headed by a Professor of the department as Institute Nodal Officer (INO) along with 15 students as interns in each team have successfully carried out study about rejuvenating and preserving traditional local water bodies to ensure water security and community development.
Teams conducted their study at Water Channel, Satpula headed by Prof. Quamrul Hassan (INO), Gandhak ki Baoli – Prof. Shamshad Ahmad (INO) and Baoli at Wazirpur ka Gumbad – Prof. Azhar Husain (INO). Each intern will get a stipend of Rs 10,000/- and certificate by All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE)- Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
Limited information was available about these water bodies. Due to modern practices of the water supply system, the relevance of these traditional water bodies in the societal context were somehow ignored. As a result, these historical heritages didn’t get the due attention and are in pathetic condition.
AICTE assigned the task to the Department of Civil Engineering, JMI under ‘Mission Amrit Sarovar – Jal Dharohar Sanrakshan” started by MoHUA, Government of India (GoI). MoHUA has identified 300+ culturally and historically significant water bodies across the country as part of the program.
The three teams did a historical and spatio-temporal analyses; hydrological studies, conservation of catchment areas; Preparing maps of the water body and its surroundings; taking photographs that capture the essence of the water body; reimagining the areas as a vibrant public space; and prepared an action plan for rejuvenation of the water body as part of the study.
All the three teams took the task in the right earnest from the very beginning of the project (Project duration 1 July 2022 to 5th August 2022). They collected the data/information pertaining to the water bodies through the internet, literature, visiting ASI office, Urban local bodies (Horticulture Department of MCD, DDA etc), interacting with the local people. Students visited water bodies several times to collect data and do the field survey from various aspects. Each intern submitted his/her daily progress report online to AICTE while concerned INO submitted weekly progress report of the water body.
Spatio-temporal analysis indicates that encroachments around the water bodies are very common and significant. These water bodies are either devoid of water or sink of waste dumping.
These historical heritages still have very sound potential to be preserved and rejuvenated. Rejuvenation plans and action for rejuvenating these water bodies have also been proposed. In addition, students were very appreciative of their societal concern and responsibility. This mission has also stimulated the student’s creativity in finding out the solutions of real life problems.
As part of the mission, deliverables of the outcome of studies were submitted and displayed through posters & photographs on GOI portal.
