5 - Recommendations

Summary

Treat Dew in Greater Detail in Academic Curricula

Academic programs in agricultural engineering, hydrology, agrometeorology, ecology of arid areas and deserts need to treat dew phenomena more comprehensively than is done presently. Dew is already included in the curricula of degree courses in engineering. But it is not dealt with in sufficient detail due to an erroneous view that it is of little practical use. Measurements in several locations overseas have shown that in arid coastal areas, desert environments dew is a more reliable source of moisture than the rainfall. A certain desert plants and small organisms survive on it. In special areas it can also be a supplementary source of drinking water. In arid coastal areas such as Kutch its quantity is appreciable, frequency of occurrence is high and the season eight month long.

Monitor Dew and Publish Dewfall Data

There is very little data available in the country on dewfall. There are some six locations where dewfall is already being measured. This data should be published so that scientists and engineers can begin to analyze and use it. Also the network of dewfall measurement should be expanded. More monitoring stations should be set-up along the coast particularly in areas like Kutch and Saurashtra, parts of Karnataka etc where aridity prevails and drinking water problem exists.

Support R&D Effort for Development of Dew Condensers

Coastal villages in Kutch commonly use tiles, RCC and cement asbestos for roofs. These are not suited for condensation.