Patna: Amid growing pressure on groundwater resources, the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) on Thursday urged people, especially students, to adopt responsible water-use practices and take an active role in groundwater conservation.Addressing a public dialogue on the findings of the National Aquifer Mapping and Management (NAQUIM) study at the College of Arts and Crafts, CGWB mid-eastern region director, Rajiv Ranjan Shukla, stressed the need for sustainable groundwater management and informed use of water resources.The programme, organised under the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) initiative, focused on groundwater availability and quality in Bihar, conservation measures, recharge and sanitation awareness.Highlighting the findings of the aquifer mapping study, Shukla warned against excessive exploitation of groundwater and said water security for future generations depends on responsible usage today. He urged students to make groundwater conservation a personal responsibility.Former Patna University geology department head Atul Aditya Pandey said artists could play an important role in spreading awareness about environmental issues. He encouraged students to use their creative works to promote the message of water conservation.Students took a water conservation pledge, signed a pledge board and participated in a symbolic ceremony reaffirming their commitment to saving water. An integrity pledge was also administered as part of CGWB’s Vigilance Awareness Campaign, being observed from Aug 17 to Nov 16.
