States Hold Dialogue On Water Sustainability

India has made significant strides in water security, and the vision for 2047 will be a huge contribution to Amrit Kaal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his address to the All-India Annual State Ministers Conference on Water held in January in Bhopal.?

“The nation is working together to build 75 Amrit Sarovars in every district. Till now 25,000 Amrit Sarovars have already been constructed," said Modi, pointing out that since water is a state subject, their efforts for water conservation will go a long way in achieving the collective goals of the country. Emphasizing on the need for public participation in water conservation, the prime minister said for more impact, more efforts will have to be taken in this direction.?

Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat shared that the government has been able to measure our water resources in a better manner because of cooperation of the States. “Just like food is being calculated now based on its nutritious value not weight, similarly water requirements need to be measured in a more holistic manner. We need to deal with challenges including increasing storage capacity through small storage facilities on the lines of Amrit Sarovars as envisioned by PM. Awareness has increased through the efforts and initiatives taken by the Union and State governments,” Shekhawat said. ?

The Jal Shakti Abhiyan launched by the Prime Minister, has brought together various organizations, Panchayats, NGOs, celebrities etc., and has started showing good results. It has led to a reduction in the over-exploited, critical and semi-critical number of blocks while safe blocks have increased. However, more work needs to be done in this field with a focused approach. ?

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis shared that water remains a major challenge as the state has less resources available than what is required. Through concerted efforts, the state has been able to get 45% of irrigated land under micro irrigation, leading to considerable saving of water. The state hopes to extend micro irrigation to 75% of land under agriculture, which uses over 40% of water available in the state. He stressed that “while nature provides us water, but it is an economic commodity whose value has to be understood….It is only through proper governance we can hope to move towards sustainability.”?

Archana Verma, Mission Director, stressed that we all know that water is intrinsic to life and the mission objective is to reach this valuable source of life to everyone. “Water Governance is not water management but how people play by the rules. While water is a state subject, for proper governance there has to be a political will among states to talk among themselves to find sustainable solutions,” she stressed.?

As part of the mission, the ministry is setting up the Bureau of Water Use efficiency for the promotion, regulation and control of efficient use of water in irrigation, industrial and domestic sectors. The bureau will be a facilitator for promotion of improving water use efficiency across various sectors and will help to promote efficiency in water use, assessment of water footprint and water auditing in the agriculture sector, showcase national and international best practices and evolve innovative mechanisms... m to secure local community participation.?