The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Call to emulate Israel in water management

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 27, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Call to emulate Israel in water management

Special Correspondent

Water techniques exhibition to be held in Tel Aviv from October 30 to November 1

Photo: K. Pichumani

WATER MEET: Consul-General of Israel Daniel Zohar Zonshine (left) in discussion with Chairman of FICCI TN State Council M. Rafeeque Ahmed at a conference on water resources in Chennai on Wednesday. Chennai Metrowater Managing Director Shiv Das Meena is in the picture. —

CHENNAI: The importance of replicating the Israeli model of water management for judicious and efficient use of water resources in growing cities such as Chennai was highlighted by Shiv Das Meena, Managing Director, Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board.

Inaugurating a one-day conference on “Augmenting and Conserving Water Resources” organised by the Tamil Nadu State Council of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) on Wednesday, he said water management had always been a politically sensitive issue, including its pricing factor. “We are finding ways and means to tap additional sources to meet the growing demand for water”, Mr. Meena added. The State Government was encouraging creation of check-dams, detection of leaks and rectification initiatives.

A proposal for setting up an Industrial Water Treatment Plant had also been mooted and SIPCOT came out with an Expression of Interest for the project.

Consul-General of Israel Daniel Zohar Zonshine spoke on the water-saving methods through drip irrigation in a predominantly arid zone. Making a detailed technical presentation on judicious and efficient water management practised in Israel, he underscored the need for educating the masses on saving every drop of water. He also invited experts and those interested in conservation of water resources to participate in the water techniques exhibition and convention to be held in Tel Aviv from October 30 to November 1.

B. Suresh, Chief Executive Officer, Mahindra Consulting Engineers, outlined the importance of sustainable public private partnership for water conservation projects.

A. Ramakrishna, former President L & T (ECC) and Director, International Infrastructure Consultants, said public-private partnership could come in handy for meeting the daily water requirements, especially in drought-prone rural areas.

In this context, he highlighted how in 18 months, with financial help of Rs.300 crore from Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, 750 water-starved villages in Anantapur District in Andhra Pradesh got relief.

M. Rafeeque Ahmed, Chairman, FICCI, Tamil Nadu State Council, spoke on the initiatives planned by the Central Government along with the leather industry in Vaniyambadi to create reverse osmosis water treatment plant to put an end to the effluent pollution.

R. Ramamurthy, Convener, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Panel, and K.S. Shetty, Member, CSR Panel, FICCI, Tamil Nadu State Council, were among those who spoke.

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