Patna, Jan. 7: The geology department of Patna University has been given the responsibility to study the geomorphic condition of the stretch of Ganga from Varanasi to Munger.

This is a part of the Union ministry of environment and forest project to study the geomorphic condition of the river system in different reaches for the larger programme of Ganga River Basin Management.

The main objectives of the plan are to ensure a continuous flow and clean water, along with maintaining connectivity and ensuring space for the river to function as an ecological entity.

Out of the several themes under the project, the geology department has been assigned the responsibility of fluvial geomorphology group. Ramesh Shukla and Atul Aditya Pandey, both teachers at the department, would be working on the project.

Shukla told The Telegraph: “The major objectives the fluvial geomorphology component of the project will be to define the geomorphic conditions of the river system in different reaches and also to understand the hydrology, geomorphology and ecology linkage for developing a sustainable river management programme.”

Shukla added that out of the total grant of Rs 16 crore for the first phase, the ministry had released the first instalment of Rs 2.5 crore. Patna University has received Rs 2 lakh. The money would be used to hire persons for data collection and for the travel of researchers.

Pandey, who is assisting Shukla, said: “After our research, we will submit the report to the ministry. The ministry is aiming to conduct water inventories at both the surface and ground level. The task of maintaining water resources would be carried out through recycling water and abstracting fresh water only on an as-needed basis. Industries would be encouraged to use recycled water, thus reducing demand for fresh water.”

Pandey added: “The first exercise would be to divide the Ganga basin into distinct hydro-geomorphic zones based on topography and primary geomorphic domain.” For geomorphic mapping, extensive use would be made of satellite images and ground truth verification, he said.

Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Allahabad University, Indian Statistical Institute, Calcutta, and seven IITs have been selected to do the project in the first phase.

The central ministry started the project in November and the department was informed in December. The project is likely to start soon.

IIT, Kharagpur and Indian Statistical Institute, Calcutta, are responsible for the project from Munger to Calcutta.