A Union Territory–level workshop on the utilization of outcomes from the National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme (NAQUIM) Phase-I and Phase-II was organized at Megapode Resort, bringing together scientists, government officials and experts to discuss groundwater planning and sustainable water resource management in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The workshop was conducted in hybrid mode by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), Eastern Region, Kolkata, under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India. The programme was organized under the guidance of Regional Director Sandhya Yadav of CGWB Eastern Region. A total of 110 participants representing various departments of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration attended the Union Territory-level event.
The programme opened with participation from officials and specialists from government departments, research institutions and academic organizations. Chief Secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, Chandra Bhushan Kumar, addressed the gathering and underscored the role of the NAQUIM programme in strengthening water security and enabling evidence-based policymaking in the islands.
During the address, Kumar emphasized the importance of restoring existing groundwater abstraction structures such as dug wells that have become defunct over time. He pointed to the need for greater public awareness regarding groundwater conservation and the effective use of existing water infrastructure. Chief Engineer of the Andaman Public Works Department, T. K. Prijith Rekh, was also present at the workshop.
In the keynote address, Regional Director Sandhya Yadav highlighted the significance of aquifer mapping as a scientific tool for sustainable groundwater management. She noted that systematic mapping of aquifers allows policymakers and technical departments to understand groundwater availability and design long-term management strategies.
Jai Sunder, Director of the Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CIARI), attended the event as guest of honour and stressed the importance of integrated water resource management to support sustainable agriculture in the islands. He emphasized the need to adopt integrated farming systems combined with precision agriculture techniques in order to ensure optimal use of limited freshwater resources while minimizing wastage.
During the inaugural session, NAQUIM reports prepared by the Central Ground Water Board and published in 2023, 2024 and 2025 were formally released. These reports contain scientific assessments of groundwater resources and aquifer characteristics across different districts of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Technical sessions that followed the inauguration focused on detailed discussions on the outcomes of NAQUIM Phase-I and Phase-II. Scientists from the Central Ground Water Board, Eastern Region, presented findings from studies conducted in South Andaman district, North and Middle Andaman district and the Nicobar Islands.
The sessions covered multiple aspects of groundwater management, including groundwater hydrology, aquifer mapping techniques, groundwater resource assessment, hydro-meteorology and groundwater quality. Experts also discussed integrated water resource management approaches involving stakeholders, agricultural water management strategies and climatological forecasting relevant to water planning.
One of the technical presentations also examined the role of desalination as a potential solution for water supply challenges in island regions. The topic was presented by an industry expert as part of the discussions on alternative water resource strategies.
Representatives from institutions including Pondicherry University and the Central Island Agricultural Research Institute contributed insights on groundwater and agricultural water management in island ecosystems. Officials from departments such as the Andaman Public Works Department, Agriculture Department and Forest Department also shared perspectives on local challenges related to groundwater use and water resource planning.
The workshop concluded with an interactive feedback and question-and-answer session. Participants from departments including APWD, Agriculture, Military Engineer Services, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Institute of Technology, ANIIDCO and municipal authorities discussed practical ways to apply NAQUIM findings for groundwater planning in the islands.
The one-day workshop served as a platform for scientists, policymakers, and administrative departments to review groundwater challenges and strengthen coordinated efforts toward sustainable water resource management in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
