Discussion on water storage and water conservation in Jal Jagar

In the Jal Jagar organized on the banks of Ravishankar Reservoir (Gangrel Dam) in Dhamtari, policy makers, environmentalists, experts and representatives of national and international organizations from India and abroad are communicating on water storage and water conservation. They are sharing the stories of successful work done in their respective areas while highlighting the importance of water storage and water conservation in the International Water Conference organized here. They are discussing their effective measures in depth and are also deciding the action plan to implement them on the ground.

Amidst various activities organized in Jal Jagar, on the first day of International Water Conference today, Additional Secretary of Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry Dr. Maninder Kaur Dwivedi, Additional Secretary of Union Jal Shakti Ministry Mrs. Archana Verma, Padmashree awarded famous environmentalists Mr. Popatlal Pawar, Shyamsundar Paliwal and Umashankar Pandey and economist and urban development expert Prof. Amitabh Kundu addressed the conference. In the inaugural session of the conference, Collector Ms. Namrata Gandhi informed about the objectives of Jal Jagar and the work being done for water storage and water conservation in Dhamtari district.

Addressing the International Water Conference, Dr. Maninder Kaur Dwivedi, Additional Secretary, Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, said that the initiative of water conservation in Dhamtari is an old one. The ‘Ojaswi’ FPO (Farmers Producer Organization) here had started cultivating paddy that requires less water. She said that there are many varieties of paddy that grow in less water and ripen quickly. She emphasized on developing more such varieties. She also asked to focus on new seeds and cultivation of other crops.

Additional Secretary of Union Jal Shakti Ministry, Smt. Archana Verma said in the International Water Conference that our ancestors had many methods of water storage and water conservation. They respected every drop of water. The main objective of our Jal Shakti Abhiyan is also to bring back the respect for water heritage. Public participation is very important in the work of water storage and water conservation. Appreciating the organization of Jal Jagar, she said that this is a very good initiative to connect people with water conservation. This is increasing the participation of culture, community and youth.

Famous environmentalists awarded with Padma Shri and those who have done remarkable work in the field of water conservation, namely Shri Popatlal Pawar, Shyamsunder Paliwal and Umashankar Pandey shared success stories of water storage and water conservation in the conference. Shri Pawar said that at least 20 percent of water in water sources should be left for recharge. Only 80 percent of it should be used. Conservation of Western Ghats is necessary to save our Himalayas.

Social worker and environmentalist Shri Shyamsunder Paliwal told that he worked for water conservation in his area by linking daughters, water and trees. He also linked it with employment. Environmentalist Shri Umashankar Pandey said that water is not a government subject. It is a society subject. Water should be taught in schools and colleges. We cannot create water, but we can save it. Famous economist and urban development expert Prof. Amitabh Kundu said in the conference that this is the first time I am seeing such a huge event at the district level regarding water concern. Here policy makers, environmentalists, water conservationists, experts and citizens are discussing about water. They are making strategies to save it. This is a very useful initiative.