TN to adopt Israeli technology to beat water crisis

Chennai, Jun 20 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu Government has sought the help of Israeli companies that have succeeded in managing the meagre water sources in that country.

Speaking at a seminar on 'Water: Vision for Urban Tamil Nadu', organised by the Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) and the Embassy of Israel, New Delhi, here today, Public Works Department Minister Durai Murugan said, ''we have no other option other than tapping the natural resources to meet the reqirements of water for human consumption and industrial needs in distant towns and cities''.

''It is high time that we have a long term plan for tackling water crisis in the state'', he said.

''We have to take benefit from Israel by adopting their latest technologies, which had succeeded in meeting the reqirements through effective management of meagre water resources available '', he pointed out.

The minister recalled the decision to take water from river Cauvery to the distant Ramanathapuram district and the scheme to feed all towns en route.

Minister for Urban Development and CMDA Chairman Parithi Ilamvazhuthi said the government was striving to augment water resources and improve distribution and management.

Advocating recycling of water used by hospitals, hotels and corporate houses, he said ''water conservation should not be seen as a government subject. Society, youth, self-help groups and corporates should take part in the campaign to protect the water sources.'' Meanwhile, Consul-General of Israel in Mumbai, Daniel Zohar Zonshine said by adopting a long-term approach, Israel solved the water crisis to a large extent.

''We can extend a helping hand to Tamil Nadu in water treatment, filtering, purifying, rainwater harvesting, water metering and plugging leakages'', he said.

Israel Acting Deputy Water Commissioner Yosef Dreizin said it was agreed to form an institutional mechanism, with the help of SICCI, to establish 'Indo-Israel Joint Business Co-operation'.

It would be a professional body with representatives from the Governments and industry.

UNI