'Innovative techniques needed to meet future challenges': Prof Soz

New Delhi, Jun 19 (UNI) The perception that water is available in plenty doesn't hold true any longer in view of its shrinking availability due to increasing population and there is a need to use innovative techniques to meet the future challenges, Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz said today .

Addressing the inaugural session of the International Conference on 'Global Water Solutions: Sharing Innovation', Prof Soz said the entire humanity required water for domestic, municipal, irrigation, hydro power generation, navigation and industrial use and the per capita availability was shrinking with the increase in population.

''It is necessary to plan a strategy for efficient water use and the concern should be on the quality of water in view of various human interferences like the use of pesticides and disposal of industrial wastes''' Prof Soz said.

The country has to use innovative techniqes and technologies, he added.

He said there had been gradual changes in the process of planning, design and management of water resources and the concept of basic planning by adopting an integrated approach were now being promoted.

Active association of the users and stakeholders is necessary to achieve the objective of sustainable development of resource and create facilities, the Minister observed.

It is desirable that the total involvement of local people and their socio-economic conditions are taken into consideration while addessing equitable distribution of resources among the stake holders, he said.

The planning should be aimed at most efficient use of water using every drop available. The national water policy had thought of utilisation of resources to the maximum possible extent using non-conventional methods like inter-basin transfers, artificial recharge of ground water and desalination of brakish or sea water.

Besides, traditional water conservation methods like rain water harvesting, roof top harvesting have to be practised to further increase utilisable water resources, he said.

The Minister said empowering Panchyat level institutions and formation of Water Users Associations had started yielding results in some states.

Prof Soz further said that emphasis has also been laid on exploitation of water resources and the government encouraged measures to lower the usage and depletion of ground water levels.

Adoption of techniques both at macro and micro level were necessary to ensure optimum usage of water.

He was happy that issues like desalination of water, quality of water, rain water harvesting and recycling of water by industries and financing the water industry will be deliberated at the conference, to be in tune with the future challenges.

Experts from various countries including the United States, the United Kingdom are taking part in the conference organised by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industries.

UNI MCN SLD BST1634