Government efforts alone not enough, people's participation required: PM Modi focuses on water conservation
All-India water ministers' meet: The primary objective of the two-day 'All India Annual State Ministers Conference on Water' is to gather inputs for the India@2047 and '5P' vision from the different stakeholders of the states and also to improve engagement and partnership with the states.
All India water ministers' meet: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (January 5) addressed an all-India water ministers' meet on the theme 'Water Vision@2047' which brings together key policy makers to discuss "ways to harness water resources for sustainable development".
PM Modi underlined the importance of people's participation in water conservation and said attempts by governments' alone cannot be successful.
“When the public is associated with a campaign, they also get to know the seriousness of the work. Due to this, a sense of ownership also comes in the public towards any scheme or campaign,” Modi said in his virtual address at the first national conference of water ministers from states in Bhopal.
Water, he said, should be a subject of cooperation, collaboration and coordination among states and asked them to plan in advance in view of the fast pace of urbanisation. The remarks assume significance as disputes over water sharing have lingered for decades between some states.
"In our constitutional system, the subject of water comes under the control of the states. States' efforts for water conservation will go a long way in achieving the collective goals of the country," said PM Modi at the All India Annual State Ministers'Confrence on Water.
"India has made major strides in water security. Our Water vision towards 2047 will be a big contribution to Amrit Kaal. The nation is working together to build 75 Amrit Sarovars in every district. Till now 25,000 Amrit Sarovars have already been constructed," he added.
The Union Jal Shakti Ministry is organizing a national level conference on water on the theme of 'Water Vision@2047' in Bhopal from January 5-6.
Earlier, PM Modi said he will be sharing his thoughts at the conference on Thursday.
“At around 9:45 am tomorrow, 5th January, I will be sharing my remarks at all-India water ministers meet on the theme 'Water Vision@2047. ' This forum brings together key policy makers to discuss ways to harness water resources for sustainable development and human progress,” he said in a tweet.
Motive of All India Annual State Ministers Conference on Water:
The primary objective of the two-day 'All India Annual State Ministers Conference on Water' is to gather inputs for the India@2047 and '5P' vision from the different stakeholders of the states and also to improve engagement and partnership with the states and to share the initiatives and schemes of the government, the ministry said in a statement.
While addressing the challenges of water security as part of the India@2047 plan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier proclaimed the '5P' mantra for sustainability, it said.
The '5P' stands for political will, public financing, partnerships, public participation and persuasion. With an objective to enhance the insights of this conference, there will be one plenary session which will set the agenda of the conference with focus on Water Vision@2047.
With an objective to enhance the insights of this conference, there will be one Plenary Session which will set the agenda of the Conference with a focus on Water Vision@2047.
The Conference will have 5 thematic sessions:
- Water Security in Water Deficit
- Water Surplus and Hilly Regions
- Water Use Efficiency including Reuse of Waste Water/ Grey Water
- Water Governance; Climate Change Resilient Water Infrastructure
- Water Quality.
The 1st Thematic Session addresses the various aspects of "Water Security in Water Deficit, Water Surplus and Hilly Regions"
The 2nd Thematic Session is on "Water Use Efficiency including the Reuse of Waste Water/Grey Water" focusing to make the objective of community participation successful at the grassroots level.
The 3rd Thematic Session on "Water Governance" aims to break the silos in the water sector by bringing various states together facilitated by the Centre. The fourth Thematic Session addresses the present scenario of climate change in the country and the measures that need to be taken to reduce the effects of Climate Change. The 5th Session on Water Quality deals with the problems of water quality of drinking water, surface water, and groundwater.
The Thematic Sessions have been devised so that we can together work towards the bigger vision of making India a Developed Nation by 2047.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union Minister of Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat attended the conference. Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis also chaired one of the important thematic sessions on water governance during the conference.
(With agencies inputs)
ALSO READ: PM Modi to chair second 'National Conference of Chief Secretaries' in Delhi