River Development Program: Uma Bharti Asks Various Agencies to Become Actively Involved

Referring to the ambitious program of river development in the country as gigantic, Union Minister for Water Resources and River Development today appealed to various agencies to come forward and work in tandem and close cooperation. She was the Chief Guest at Central Board of Irrigation and Power Day function. Addressing the gathered audience, Sushri Uma Bharti said it required will and cooperation of all stakeholders to make sure that our rivers do not become polluted. Kids should be taught at school level about the importance of our rivers so that they grow up to behave in a responsible manner.

Talking about Ganga Rejuvenation, a program of her ministry to clean up River Ganga, the Minister said, “We are chalking out programs to ensure that only treated waste water is released into Ganga so that we are able to maintain its sanctity.  With its success the program will serve as a model to demonstrate the methodology for improving the water quality of other polluted rivers.’’

She is disappointed with the present situation

Uma Bharti expressed her disappointment over the rising level of pollution in different rivers of the country. She said that this condition is not only dangerous for fish and other aquatic animals but also for human beings who live in adjoining areas and are dependent upon these rivers for water supply. “As a result of indiscriminate and indiscrete developmental activities, the clear fresh water, that were our national heritage and precious resources, have become dumping grounds for municipal and industrial wastes” she said.

Lamenting at the present situation, the Minister said that though there are various Pollution Control Boards working at state level, the situation at ground level is not very encouraging. If urgent and stringent measures are not taken at the earliest, say is not far off when there would not be clean water left in any river of the country. 

Per capita availability of clean water will go down drastically

Also present on the CIPB Day function was MoS for Water Resources Professor Sanwar Lal Jat. He said that there is great stress of increasing population on freshwater resources and unless scare water resources of the country are managed judiciously, it is impossible to even think of a healthy eco system around us. Rapid population growth has put tremendous pressure on our water resources and the present situation may worsen to cause scarcity by the year 2050. This means that per capita availability of fresh water would decrease drastically in the coming few decades. “If we ignore the scarcity now, it will adversely affect our country’s future prospects and well-being. We should judiciously conserve our precious water resources and plan for its optimum utilization,” he added. Professor Lal is of the view that interlinking of our main rivers is a very good idea as it will lead to enhanced food security and employment generation.

Awards were given by the Ministers to 43 individuals and institutions for their outstanding contributions in the fields of water resource management and renewable energy sources on CIPB Day.