New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that only the government’s efforts towards water conservation are not enough and people’s participation is of utmost importance.
“Only the government’s efforts are not sufficient towards water conservation. A new chapter of Jan Bhagidari (People’s Participation) needs to begin with multiple stakeholders from all sections of society. In the campaigns related to water conservation, we have to involve people, social organizations and civil society as much as possible,” said PM Modi while addressing an all-India water ministers’ meet on the theme ‘Water Vision@2047.’
PM Modi further said that India has made major strides in water security and the water vision towards 2047 will be a big contribution to Amrit Kaal.
“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,” added Modi.
Modi said, “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.”
Highlighting the importance of technology, Modi said, “We need to use technologies like Geosensing and Geomapping in the field of water conservation. Industry and agriculture are two sectors where water is required. Jal Jeevan Mission has become a major development parameter to provide water to every household.”
Citing the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’, PM Modi said, “When people joined the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’, consciousness and awareness also came to the public. The government mobilized resources and did many works like water treatment plants and toilets. But the success of the campaign was ensured when the public thought not to spread filth. The same thinking has to be awakened in the public for water conservation as well.”
Advising the industry and agriculture wherein the requirement for water is high, he said, “The government has emphasised enormously the circular economy in this budget. The circular economy has a critical role in water conservation. Urbanization is increasing rapidly in our country and when the pace of urbanization is like this, then we should think about water very seriously.”
The Union Jal Shakti Ministry is organizing a national-level conference on the theme of ‘Water Vision@2047’ in Bhopal on January 5-6, which brings together key policymakers to discuss “ways to harness water resources for sustainable development.”
(With inputs from agencies)