UNDP stresses on access to water than quality of water

New Delhi, Nov 9 (UNI) The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) seeks to lay stress on access to as well as management of water for personal productive uses rather than quality and supply.

The theme of the report titled "Water for Life and Water for Livelihoods' was released by Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz in the presence of the UNDP Resident Representative and UN Resident Coordinator in India Maxin Olson. The report deals with water issues like beyond scarcity, power, poverty and global water crisis.

The report has upgraded India's Human Development Index (HDI) to 126th position in 2006 among 177 countries. Last year the country stood at 127th position. India stood at 55th position among the 102 developing countries in terms of Human Poverty Index (HPI).

Delivering his key note address Prof Soz complimented UNDP for this initiative and said the theme represented the important issues confronting the world and needing urgent attention.

He said for optimal utilisation of water resources, India has to adopt the most appropriate measures for development and put in place an efficient management system. Many developing countries including India were concerned about decreasing per capita water availability and deterioration of water quality and believed that sustainable development and efficient management of water resources is the key for economic growth and poverty alleviation.

The report strongly recommends for bringing water and sanitation into the mainstream of national and international strategies for achieving the Millennium Development Goals. It has commended India's pro-poor community-based water conservation and sanitation initiatives to enable water reach the poorest and severely water-distressed areas and households in the country.

India has attracted a mention about how community action in water management had revived local economies because of the management initiatives of several grassroots leaders. Citing the experiences in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, the report added "There is scope for giving greater impetus to this movement and the Government of India is committed to this".

UNI MCN SI BS1919