Water Resources Ministry identifies action areas

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, NOV. 17. The Ministry of Water Resources has identified the integrated management and development of water resources, the optimal use of developed resources and the preservation and augmentation of the transfer of water resources from surplus regions to water deficit areas, as the key action points.

Announcing this to the members of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to his Ministry, the Minister for Water Resources, Mr. Arjun Charan Sethi, urged all concerned to show political will and commitment to achieve this in the 21st century.

The long-term vision of the Ministry aimed at optimum sustainable development, maintenance of quality and efficient use of water resources to meet the growing demands in the 21st century.

The Minister said this would require intervention at various levels like systematic policy focus, bridging the knowledge gap to enable educated decision-making, administrative initiatives, enactment of suitable legal instruments and facilitation of sufficient flow of funds for water resources development.

It would require active involvement of all stakeholders and a mass awareness campaign and the application of modern technology and research.

Mr. Sethi said India would have to fulfill the food and fibre requirement of a projected population of 1200 million by 2015 and 1600 million by 2050.

The country would have to make safe drinking water available for all, safeguard existing water sources from pollution and over exploitation, maximise hydro power generation and navigation, maintain ecological balance and take care of the people against water-related natural disasters like flood and drought.

The committee members wanted the entire subject of water resources to be brought under one umbrella with a comprehensive approach to resolving issues.

The Minister of State, Ms. Bijoya Chakravorty, urged the officials to keep in view the growing population, migration patterns and emerging mega cities before taking decisions.

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