2007 to be observed as 'water conservation year': SOZ

Jammu, Nov 20 (UNI) Expressing concern over the down-fall in the water-table in thcountry as well as around the globe, Union Water Resources Minister, Saifuddin Soz today said the nation will observe next year as 'Water Conservation Year'.

Prof Soz, while talking to mediapersons in 'Meet to Press' at Jammu Press Club, said the people need to be aware of the importance of water and water conservation.

''Due to global warming the average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans have risen in recent decades which is the signal of danger. To face this challenge we have decided to observe 2007 as 'Water Conservation yYear','' he said.

Union Minister, in a reply to a question about water interlinking, said this project was enormously difficult and infeasible. Moreover, the project was costing more than Rs six lakh crore.

''Total 16 project reports were submitted on river interconnecting plans but only one was feasible rest 15 were beyond the implementation, he added.

To solve the problem of the acute shortage of water for irrigation in Jammu region, he said, the Union Government has approved 62 mini projects in the area while 22 more projects are in the pipe-line.

''These mini irrigation projects have been approved by the technical area committee of the Water Resources Department costing Rs 62 crore. With the approval of 22 more projects, a total amount of Rs 75 crore would be spent in Jammu on these mini-projects.'' he said.

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