Australian firm exploring MoU with Anna varsity on mapping acquifer of state

Chennnai:

Australia is exploring the possibility of having a tie-up with Anna University in mapping of acquifer (an underground layer of rock or soil that contains water) details of Tamil Nadu.

Australian Trade Commission officials told Express that a tie up is likely between Australian groundwater management firm Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) and Institute of Remote Sensing and Centre for Water Resources Anna University.

Ray Evans, principal consultant, groundwater of SKM said that the Australian firm is looking at setting up a partnership with Anna University which will primarily focus on skills exchange.

“We are planning to have our presence in research and commercial domain in the state,” said Evans, adding that for that there is a need to understand the requirements of Tamil Nadu.

Dr Zafar Sadiq Mohamed Ghouse, executive consultant –n Spatial and Practice leader of SKM said that SKM officials have met the vice-chancellor to discuss a possible tie-up.

“The focus will be on good groundwater management. Currently, the data on groundwater is isolated with the department. The focus will be on inter-department cooperation to share the data. Once it is done then it will be uploaded in the web through open source software. This will generate awareness among the end users and public about their groundwater resources,” he said. He said SKM also has technological expertise to share with the state like modeling the groundwater in 3D geographic Information System (GIS) where the decision makers and public are able to visualize the exploitation of groundwater.

Australian Consulate General for south India David Holly said that the meeting is being held on the backdrop of the visit of Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s visit to India where it was stressed on the need for collaboration to manage scarce water resources.

He said the workshop on Advances Groundwater management would provide a platform to share knowledge and exchange ideas on how to improve groundwater management.

He said water is not a new dialogue between India and Australia and it dates back to more than a century. “In this workshop we have the opportunity to extend the century old dialogue to examine groundwater management practices.