Prof Soz cautions against over-exploitation of ground water

New Delhi, Nov 28 (UNI) Union Minister for Water Resources Saifuddin Soz today said it is necessary to adopt immediate remedial measures to check the adverse effects of over-exploitation of water resources alongwith integrated planning and management.

In his inaugural address at the International Conference on Sustainable Water Management-Challenges, Technologies, Solutions, here, he said in certain areas ground water exploitation has resulted in lowering of the ground water table.

The government of India encourages measures towards ground water recharge and we have involved experts and social workers in finding the most appropriate solutions to such problems. Another important area of concern is to improve the efficiency of the water resources facilities and to ensure optimum benefits.

He said the growing population, industrialisation and urbanisation are bound to result in increased demands of water for various purposes. It's a fact that the water resources available for meeting the demands are more or less constant. Therefore, it is important to develop the resources in a sustainable manner based on comprehensive planning to address the growing needs for various purposes. We have a few instances of development, particularly of groundwater resources, which have resulted in lowering of groundwater table in certain areas. Such lowering of ground water table has also been partly responsible for deterioration of quality of ground water.

The Minister opined that for achieving the objective of integrated water management, it is necessary that the users and stakeholders are actively associated. Management of the water resources for diverse uses must incorporate a participatory approach; by involving not only the various governmental agencies but also the users and the stakeholders, in an effective and decisive manner, in various aspects of planning, design, development and management of water resources schemes.

Prof Soz also released a souvenir on the proceedings of the Conference on the occasion.

UNI