Canadian scientist visits PAU, deliberates on water issues

Ludhiana, November 10, 2014: To discuss potential areas of research collaboration and to formulate strategies to address water issues, Dr Shiv O Prasher, Professor, Department of Bio-resource Engineering, Mc Gill University, Montreal (Canada) visited the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today. He interacted with the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon and the  officers, heads and faculty of various departments of PAU.  Besides, he also visited Soil and Water Resources Museum, and College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology.

The deliberations resulted in three cooperative research areas - waste water management, hydrogel technology, and  biochar technology.

Dr Balwinder Singh, Director of Research, PAU shed light on the water problems of Punjab in addition to uranium toxicity in the state.

Dr J.S. Dhiman, Additional Director of Research (Natural Resource and Plant Health Management), expressed concern over the problems of depleting underground water table, water logging, poor water quality, and water pollution by agricultural and industrial effluents in the state. “Water is a key focus of number of research projects,” he said while emphasizing on the development of need-based strategies for combating water issues.

Dr Shiv O Prasher appreciated the presentations given by the PAU experts. He said, “Agriculture is worldwide. With the ever-increasing population and growing urbanization, there is going to be a lot of pressure on agriculture and especially on water.” Safe use of waste water is vital, he added. Waste water should be also used for other purposes besides growing vegetables, he suggested. About agriculture in Canada, Dr Prasher said heavy metals are a big problem in their country. “Heavy metals don’t decay, they accumulate,” he observed, while stressing on making research efforts in this direction.

Dr D.S. Brar, Adjunct Professor, School of Agricultural Biotechnology, welcomed the Canadian scientist and PAU officers. He gave a brief introduction of the visiting member and highlighted international research collaborations of the University.

During his presentation on “Waste Water Use in Agriculture,” Dr Dhanwinder Singh, Professor of Soil Science disclosed, “More than 10,000 hectare (ha) of land receives sewage water in the state.” He further said that Buddah Nallah was free from pollution during 60s but rapid urbanization and industrialization of Ludhiana caused a tremendous increase in production of liquid and solid wastes. He stressed on treating waste waters/effluents for suitability for irrigation.

Speaking on “Integrated Water Management Options in Punjab,” Dr K.B. Singh, Professor of Soil Science, said that water demand in the state accounts for 4.93 million (m) ha meter, water supply 3.48 m ha meter and water deficit 1.43 m ha meter. The paddy-wheat system has led to overuse of water resources, he pointed out. Water crisis will aggravate further due to climate change and continuous pressure to feed growing population, he observed.  Referring to role of water in state agriculture, Dr Singh said that water leads to higher productivity.

Dr Priya Katyal, Assistant Microbiologist said that there is an increasing concern about uranium toxicity in Malwa region of the state. Heavy metal pollution study is of utmost importance, she stressed.

           

-----------------------------

Readers may send their news/views/feedback to us: