Union Jal Shakti Minister Launches 'Punah Bharan' App for Scientific Groundwater Recharge

Why in the News?

Union Minister of Jal Shakti, **C.R. Paatil**, launched the **'Punah Bharan'** mobile application and web portal to facilitate scientific, geospatial-technology-driven groundwater recharge planning across India.

Key Features / Major Points:

- Developing Agencies: Developed by **BISAG-N** (Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics) in collaboration with the **National Water Mission (NWM)** under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

- Key Capabilities:

- Enables users to identify potential artificial recharge zones within a **3-kilometer radius** of their location.

- Suggests optimal artificial recharge structures based on hyper-local environmental and geological conditions.

- Web Portal Features: Provides village-level Artificial Recharge Structure (ARS) zonation maps, Geographic Information System (GIS) tools, and thematic layers for sustainable water management.

- Data Integration: Utilizes comprehensive datasets regarding rainfall, groundwater yield, water levels, slope, and drainage patterns.

Static GK Facts:

- Ministry of Jal Shakti:

- Formed: **May 2019** (by merging the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation and the Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation).

- Union Cabinet Minister: C.R. Paatil.

- National Water Mission (NWM):

- One of the 8 National Missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).

- Flagship Campaign: **"Catch the Rain"** campaign.

- BISAG-N:

- Autonomous National Institute under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), located in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

One-Liner Quiz (All Competitive Exams):

Q: Which Union Minister launched the 'Punah Bharan' mobile application for groundwater recharge planning?

A: C.R. Paatil (Union Minister of Jal Shakti)

Q: Which organization developed the 'Punah Bharan' app in collaboration with the National Water Mission?

A: BISAG-N (Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics)

Q: Up to what radius can the 'Punah Bharan' app identify potential artificial recharge zones for users?

A: 3 Kilometers

Q: In which year was the Ministry of Jal Shakti constituted by the Government of India?

A: 2019

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