The Art of Living has been conferred with the Geospatial Excellence Award for Water Resources Conservation as part of the India Geospatial Awards at GeoSmart India 2019, for the use of advanced geospatial technology and innovation in reviving 40 rivers and tributaries across 4 Indian states benefiting 49.9 lakh people

Leading transformative initiatives in the water sector, Art of Living has been recognized as one of the India’s leading NGOs in using geospatial technologies towards reviving rivers and fresh water sources across India,” the organizers said in an introductory note, “The organization (The Art of Living) has built key platforms and solutions needed to support a robust Resources Management System. Initiating leading technologies and related engineering, Art of Living has managed to enhance the capabilities of the Indian people in responding proactively and efficiently to water scarcity situations and is constantly striving to build a robust and sustainable water resources ecosystem in India.

Dr Lingaraju, The Art of Living River rejuvenation Project Director says

Now the time has come to put back the water in the ground. Five to six decades of surface water mismanagement has brought us to this level. The methodology that we use is to revive nature and bring back the rivers by copying nature to fill the dried up aquifers which will eventually help the river to flow once again. Our model has worked well and can be replicated in other states as well.

The Art of Living experts use remote sensing and satellite mapping to identify long-buried rivers that have dried up either due to lack of sufficient groundwater or because of silt accumulation, owing to deforestation and industrial waste that lands up in our river ecosystem. Once the catchment areas are identified, network of recharge structures are planned to increase storage of water and raise the water table. Technology is adapted to the topography and the geology of the region and a unique approach is undertaken for different projects

Another aspect of the project, is engagement with local communities-through Art of Living capacity building measures, the individual is empowered, and the community is brought together, resulting in a harmonious environment. Volunteers on ground are trained to interpret remote sensing data, to take the project forward.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar founded The Art of Living has also been included in the Limca Book of Records 2019-India At Her Best for the ‘Most extensive river rejuvenation by an NGO’ for the organization’s effort to resolve the country’s severe water problem by reviving 40 rivers and its tributaries in four Indian states and making more water available by raising the water table especially in drought prone regions, benefiting 49.9 lakh people in over 5000 villages.

SOURCE COURTESY : www.greaterjammu.com