LOK SABHA
Government of India
has declared 2003 as ‘Freshwater Year’ in keeping with the United
Nations’ Resolution declaring the year 2003 as "International
Year of Freshwater". The objectives are increasing awareness
among stakeholders regarding scarcity value of freshwater, conservation
and efficient use of freshwater, preservation of freshwater-quality
and its ecosystem, augmentation of freshwater resources and
community partnership for informed decision making.
To meet the objectives
mentioned above, activities to create awareness about the need
for freshwater conservation, preserving freshwater eco-system
and initiating new programmes on freshwater has been taken up.
This will target various groups in the country such as youth
and children, women, farmers and villagers as well as policy
and opinion makers. The State Governments are also to initiate
similar activities with their own resources in their states
with technical support from Central agencies.
This information
was given by the Union Minister of State for Water Resources,
Smt. Bijoya Chakravarty in a written reply in a question from
Shri Sadashivrao Dadoba Mandlik and others in the Lok Sabha
today.
