|
|
| Press
Releases |
June 19, 2008
|
| |
MOU on interlinking river project to happen soon
June 19, 2008, New Delhi – The UPA Government is seriously working on the interlinking of rivers project to enhance water availability throughout the country. Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have agreed to interlink the rivers. Similarly Gujarat and Maharashtra have also agreed. The Detailed Project report (DPR) for interlinking the rivers Ken and Betwa would be available very soon. An MOU to this effect would be signed soon.
This was disclosed today at an International conference organized by PHD Chamber on “Global Water Solutions: Sharing Innovations” where Prof Saifuddin Soz, Hon’ble Union Minister of Water Resources was present along with Mr. Andrew Ladds, CEO of Society of Chemical Industry, UK., Dr Mark A Shannon, Director, The WaterCAMPWS Centre, Ms Nelufer Mohajeri of American Chemical Society, USA.
The Minister referred to an interesting case history of Hiware Bazaar, located in the drought prone district of Ahmednagar in Maharashtra State. They brought about a remarkable change in their lives by simply noting water availability for a certain period of time and calculating their water requirements for both irrigation and domestic use. Proper planning of water use done well in advance was their key to success. The district receives little rainfall, approximately 250 mm per year .Since the past three years it has received very scanty rainfall, as low as 50mm. The condition is worsened still by the perennially low water table in highly porous soils that hardly retain any moisture. Today, it not only serves its own needs of water but also provides drinking water to other neighboring villages.
In contrast, Karnataka which has an average annual rainfall of 1800 mm is facing water crisis .Management of water resources for diverse uses must incorporate a participatory approach by involving governmental agencies, users and the stakeholders in all aspects of planning, design, development and management and must take into account local conditions, socio-economic and environmental profile.
Some shocking statistics were shared by Dr Mark A Shannon. He said “Over 2.4 million people in the world die every year due to contaminated water, a child under 5 years dies every 20 seconds from water problems. Over 2.85 billion people will be sickened and Over 186 million people would have lost years of life from disability and disease “ .He also added,”Pressure on food supply, and Contaminated water from heavy metals, petroleum byproducts, and toxins sicken large numbers of people and 20 plus million in Bengal region alone suffer from arsenic poisoning”
But there is hope to avert this water crisis as low cost, energy efficient solutions are available Petroleum byproducts can be removed from Water, by new low-cost absorbable glass which can remove virtually all petroleum byproducts like benzene, distillates, and oil from water and can be used over and over again. Filtering by Gravity Fed Water Purifiers where Ultrafiltration barrier filters prevent non-viral pathogens from passing through and keep them out of drinking water. If gravity fed, no power is needed to push water through the barrier.
Mr. Krishan Kalra, Secretary General, PHD Chamber said, “Though 1.2 Billion people are at risk from lack of clean water and 2.6 Billion people lack adequate sanitation over the world, deaths can decrease by nearly 2/3rds if low cost, energy efficient techniques are used to clear the water of viruses”
PHD Chamber expressed its grave concern about the depleting water table in several parts of the country and has called upon the authorities to incentivise water harvesting projects in the country.
|
| |
|
|
 |
| |
|
