A Jalopchar Technology-Based Sewage treatment facility installed at ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Dehradun was inaugurated on 13th Oct 2023. The technology has been developed by Dr (Mrs) Ravinder Kaur, Principal Scientist, Water Technology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. The eco-friendly wastewater treatment facilities mainly work on the principles of aerobic decomposition and phytoremediation. A reduction in BOD, Nitrate, Phosphate, Sulphate, and Bicarbonate in the range of 42 to 90% has been found in the treated water. A slight moderation in TDS and EC was also been noticed.

The inauguration program started with the welcome of the guests by Dr M. Madhu, director of the ICAR-IISWC, Dehradun. The chief guest of the inaugural function Dr S. K. Chaudhari, Deputy Director General (DDG), Natural Resource Management (NRM), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi appreciated the efforts made by the Institute in promoting nature-based solutions to a very pertinent problem. He mentioned that the volume of sewage per capita as well as the total volume keeps on increasing day by day and decentralized treatment facilities seem to be a practical solution to the problem. He mentioned that awareness about the quality of water and investment preparedness for good quality water is increasing. He encouraged the gathering to promote the adoption of green technology at various levels to turn the problem of sewage into an opportunity by adopting the concept of circular economy.

Dr. (Mrs) Kaur, the inventor of the technology apprised the gathering about the technical and functional aspects of the treatment facilities in which Arundo donax (Giant reed) is used as a phytoremediator. Dr. Madhu highlighted the need and importance of turning gray water into productive blue water. He emphasized adopting all measures to reduce the chance of pollutants reaching surface and groundwater. The program was conducted by Dr. Gopal Kumar, Head of Soil Science & Agronomy Division, ICAR-IISWC Dehradun.

In addition to that the 126th batch of the 4-month regular training program was also inaugurated at the Institute. The ICAR-IISWC Dehradun is the sole institute in the country that conducts 4 months training program on soil and water conservation and watershed management for the state government officials mainly soil conservation officers.

The chief guest of the function Dr S. K. Chaudhari motivated the trainees from various states including Kerala, Punjab, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Assam to learn through course curricula and also through interaction with other trainees. He encouraged them to use the learning in their respective states for science-based effective planning of watershed management. He also encouraged them to work as a flag bearer of the Institute. Dr Kaur appreciated the efforts of the Institute to continue imparting training on a very important subject and making changes in course content to remain relevant with time. The inaugural program of the training started with the welcome of the guest by Dr. Charan Singh, head of the Human Resource Development & Social Science Division who also apprised the gathering about the structure and framework of the training.

M Madhu welcomed the guests and participants and apprised them about the new initiative taken for the improvement of the training program. He also mentioned the initiation of publishing success stories of different state governments in the form of a compilation named WATERSHED. The program ended with a vote of thanks by Dr. Lekh Chand, Principal Scientist of Agronomy.