HYDROLOGICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM OPENS
UP NEW VISTAS ON EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES
India has sizeable
achievements in the water sector. A major spurt in development
of water related infrastructures since independence has enabled
India to harness much of the country’s water resources. These
developments have made vital contributions to India’s food security
by freeing the nation from a situation of frequent famines and
social vulnerability to a self sufficient country. Other water
related activities/sectors also have received fillip.
Shri Arjun Charan
Sethi, Union Minister for Water Resources in his inaugural address
at a National Seminar on the Hydrological Information System (HIS),
called for an increased efficiency in the development and management
of water resources. Water is a prime national resource, a basic
need and a precious natural asset. Water as a resource is under
relentless pressure. The population of India is estimated to reach
around 1.64 billion by 2050 and is likely to stabilize at this
level. Even at moderate consumptive rate of 750 gm per capita
per day, nearly 450 million tonnes of food grains would be required
to meet the food requirement of the population. It is, therefore,
necessary to evolve appropriate strategies and implement suitable
measures to keep pace with the actual demand of our country and
maintain progress of water resources development and management.
A reliable data base
providing historical records for all aspects of the hydrological
cycle is essential for planning and management of water resources
development. In the National Water Policy –2002 it has been highlighted
that a well developed information system at the National/State
level for water related data in its entirety is a prime requisite
for resource planning.
Speaking on the occasion,
Shri A. K. Goswami, Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources said
that it heartening to have a new and comprehensive HIS established
by the Government of India under the World Bank funded Hydrology
Project across nine states in peninsular India. Ms. Rita Rahman,
Minister Plenipotentiary of the Royal Netherlands Embassy was
also present on the occasion. To commemorate the International
Year of Freshwater, the Ministry of Water Resources is organising
a series of activities and programmes across the country to create
a greater awareness about the water related issues. The seminar
on Developments in the Hydrological Information System is one
of the initiative which is organiszed during a week long celebration
called ‘Jal Utsav’, which is jointly organised by the Government
of India and the Government of Netherlands.
The seminar will
have technical presentations from Central and State Government
officers on various data management strategies and issues. The
international perspective to the seminar came from Mr. Roger Moore,
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford, UK and Andrew McKenzie,
British Geological Survey, Wallingford, UK. The seminar will also
deal on the roadmap for development of the HIS in the country.
