IIT Hyd bags Swacchta Award of Ministry of Human Resource Development
In recognition of Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad’s role in uplifting villages under Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) initiative, the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) presented the Swacchta Award to the Institute on Thursday.
Hyderabad: In recognition of Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad’s role in uplifting villages under Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) initiative, the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) presented the Swacchta Award to the Institute on Thursday.
As a part of UBA, IIT Hyderabad, under the guidance of Prof Shashidhar, Department of Civil Engineering, adopted five villages belonging to members of Scheduled Tribe Communities. The villages include Bujarampet, Ananthram, Kannaram, Salabhatpur and Mohamed Nagar of Kowidipally Mandal in Medak.
Speaking about the Swacchta Award, Prof Shashidhar, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Hyderabad, said “Unnat Bharat Abhiyan gives an opportunity to understand gross root level challenges for the Gram Swaraj. As a technical institute, we should work not only with mind but also with heart for the sustainable village development"
IIT Hyderabad along with Bharathi Hollikeri, Medak District Collector, conducted an extensive socio-economic survey of villages to identify the grassroot issues. Spatial and non-spatial information were mapped with the help of Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) survey, in the Geographic information system (GIS).
During the field visits, it was noted that despite of the heavy rains during monsoon of 2016, which recharged lakes and other small water bodies in and around Kowdipally, there was negligible control over the usage and preservation of water among farmers and villagers. As a result, the groundwater in these villages became precarious by the end of February.
Most borewells became dry. The repercussions were adverse and as people in these villages faced acute drinking water scarcity.
To overcome these challenges, IIT Hyderabad initiated a Hydrogeological Study to identify and demarcate groundwater bearing and recharge zones. Two-dimensional Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) survey was performed at various sections in the adopted villages.
Iso-resistivity contours of the study area were prepared at different depths using geo-statistical interpolation methods. A geological interpretation of resistivity distribution (both in horizontal and vertical directions) was performed to comment on groundwater potential and recharge zones of the study area.
Faculty and students extensively visited the villages in creating awareness in school children, teachers and villagers. To motivate the students towards the rural development, institute has introduced one credit UBA independent project course.
