TREMENDOUS SCOPE OF IMPROVEMENT
IN EFFICIENCY EXISTS FOR BETTER WATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN
THE COUNTRY
There is tremendous
scope of improvement in efficiency through better water management
practices in the country. This was stated by the Union Minister
of State for Water Resources, Smt. Bijoya Chakravarty while addressing
the Valedictory session of the two-day meet of the Rotary International
Presidential Celebration on Water Management here today. She said
that everybody is aware of the importance of water in our life,
and about its scarcity value as per capita availability of water
is reducing day by day due to galloping population. In order to
meet the challenges resulting from growing demands and decreasing
availability of water, it is imperative to adopt best practices
in the areas of water management to fulfil aspiration of all sections
of the society. She emphatically said that there is need for involvement
of stakeholders as envisaged in our National Water Policy 2002in
every stage of planning and management of water resources.
The objective of
the Ministry of Water Resources to educate the people to conserve
and maintain quality of water without further exploitation of
groundwater for industries and irrigation. She said this can be
achieved only if all sectors like irrigation, domestic, and industries
adopt efficient system. As Agriculture Sector is the largest user
of water, appropriate measures like reduction in seepage losses
in canal, use of better techniques and adoption of better agricultural
practices are to be followed. Another area which requires immediate
attention is the improvement of water delivery systems, she remarked.
It is, therefore, to adopt tools such as benchmarking for introspection,
performance evaluation and improvement in efficiency of the system.
The Planning and Management of the Water Resources is required
to be done on long term perspective based on minimum reasonable
demand of the sector.
Looking at the gravity
of the problem, 2003 is being celebrated as Freshwater Year in
keeping with the United Nations’ Resolutions to create awareness
regarding scarcity value of fresh water and its conservation,
perseverance and its quality and maintenance of its eco-system
by initiating community partnership for informed decision making.
Shri V. K. Duggal,
Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources addressing the distinguished
gathering, in his opening remarks said that the theme selected
for the Celbrations ‘Water Management’ is indeed extremely topical
particularly in view of the observance of the Freshwater Year
2003 World wide. Water has been engaging unprecedented attention
at United Nations with the World Summit on Sustainable Development
at Johannesburg and Commission on Sustainable Development in New
York dedicating major time and resource with the issue of water.
He valued greatly the last two days discussion on various important
topics related to water management, which are of great importance
for the overall development of the country on the water front.
Both the Minister
and the Secretary of the Ministry expressed the views that they
are indeed looking forward to the recommendations of this Conference
which would find their rightful place in future policy initiatives.
Shri Sushil Gupta, Director, Rotary International gave the welcome
address of the Valedictory function in the presence of President
Rotary International, Mr. Jonathan B. Majiyagbe and lauded the
efforts of the various Ministries, Departments and Organisations
of the Government of India and especially the Ministry of Water
Resources as he found the two-day deliberations are extremely
useful. A colourful dance performance was given at the very outset
of the Valedictory function by a famous troupe depicting the myth
of the Ganga brought by Bhagirath from the mountains to the valleys
and the Gangetic plains of India.
