Catching water

the groundwater level in Gurgaon has gone down to an alarming level of 92 metres, informs the Society for Urban Regeneration of Gurgaon ( surge ), a group of citizen's forum. In a recent meeting of surge , suggestions were made to build small check dams and make rainwater harvesting compulsory for residential houses. The Central Ground Water Authority ( cgwa ) has already made rainwater harvesting compulsory for residential societies, institutions, schools, hotels and industrial establishments of many places including Gurgaon (see 'Making a start', Down To Earth , Vol 9, No 23, April 30). The Haryana government has accepted the recommendations made by surge . The Haryana Urban Development Authority ( huda ) in collaboration with cgwa has initiated a feasibility study. The Gurgaon-based Institute of Environment Management and Social Development has organised seminars on rainwater harvesting to raise awareness.