New Delhi, October 22 (HS): President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday emphasized that conservation and augmentation of water resources is the collective responsibility of all. It is not possible to build a water-safe India without our active participation.
President Murmu felicitated 38 winners in nine categories announced by the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti in New Delhi. Odisha got the first prize in the category of Best State, Uttar Pradesh got the second and Gujarat and Puducherry got the third place jointly. Each awardee was given a citation and a trophy as well as cash prizes in some categories.
The President said that we can make a significant contribution to water conservation with small efforts. For example, we should not leave the taps of our houses open, take care that the water does not overflow from the overhead water tank, make arrangements for water storage in homes and collectively renovate traditional reservoirs.
The President said that water is a basic necessity and a fundamental human right for every individual. A clean and prosperous society cannot be built without ensuring access to clean water. Lack of water availability and poor sanitation have a disproportionate impact on the health, food security and livelihoods of the underprivileged.
The President said that it is a well-known fact that there are limited fresh water resources available on earth, yet we ignore water conservation and management. These resources are getting polluted and depleted due to man-made causes. He was happy to note that the Government of India has taken several steps to promote water conservation and water harvesting.
The President said that water conservation is part of our tradition. Our ancestors used to build ponds near villages. They used to build reservoirs near temples or within them so that the water stored in them could be used in times of water shortage. Unfortunately, we are forgetting the teachings of our ancestors. Some people have encroached upon water reservoirs for personal gain. This not only affects the availability of water during droughts but also leads to flood-like situations when there is excessive rainfall.
The President said the National Water Awards are a commendable step towards promoting relevant approaches and actions towards water resources. He expressed confidence that through this programme the best practices of the awardees will reach the general public. He said the aim of the National Water Awards is to create awareness among people about the importance of water and motivate them to adopt best water use practices.
Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar