SHRI BAALU CALLS FOR REFORMS
IN WATER POLICIES
The Minister for Environment and Forests, Shri T.R. Baalu, has
said that there was a felt need for reforms in water pricing to
reflect the cost of providing water and, to the extent possible,
environmental protection, while meeting the national social obligations.
He was addressing the Plenary Session on Water and Sanitation
at the World Summit on Sustainable Development at Johannesburg
today. Shri Baalu also called for a radical shift in water management,
as water has come to be in scarce supply, threatened by pollution
and warranting efficient use.
Shri Baalu said that in India and other developing countries,
the main concerns relating to water were ensuring access to safe
water and sanitation to large sections of the population, meeting
minimum per capita consumption requirement and addressing the
problem of growing water pollution. He said that shortages in
water supply for domestic, agricultural and industrial needs resulted
in over-exploitation of ground water beyond its recharge capacity.
This in turn would result in long-term decline in water levels,
deterioration of water quality in acquifers and ingress of saline
water in coastal acquifers. Stating that only 10 per cent of the
river flows is available during six months in a year in most parts
of India, the Minister said that the policy initiatives relating
to fresh water resources including evaluation of impacts of climate
change had become critical. He further said that there was strong
potential for partnerships with scientific institutions in promoting
water conservation and water harvesting practices in accordance
with the priorities of developing countries.
Expressing concern over inadequate sanitation infrastructure
in developing countries, Shri Baalu urged the global community
to address the problem on priority.
