State Minister Urges Residents to Conserve Water as Groundwater Levels Fall in West Bengal

Minister of State for Panchayat and Rural Development, Becharam Manna, has warned that the groundwater level in West Bengal is rapidly depleting. He urged residents to become aware of this issue and adopt environmentally friendly habits such as reducing plastic use. His colleague Seuli Saha emphasized the importance of sanitation and hygiene, mentioning 'Water For People', an organization working towards providing high-quality drinking water and sanitation services.

The groundwater level in West Bengal is witnessing a significant depletion, warns Becharam Manna, the Minister of State for Panchayat and Rural Development. The minister issued this warning during a recent programme titled 'Water for People'. He highlighted the urgent need to change our practices concerning groundwater extraction and plastic usage.

Groundwater Depletion: A Rising Concern

Manna emphasized that everyone should become aware of the current status of groundwater and how its levels are reducing due to continuous extraction. "We have to change our practice. We have to reduce the use of plastics and make good habits by refusing plastic products in every possible way in our daily life," he said.

This statement reflects an increasing concern about environmental sustainability, particularly regarding water resources. Groundwater serves as a crucial source for drinking water, irrigation, and other domestic uses. Therefore, its depletion could lead to severe socio-economic consequences if not addressed promptly.

Collaborative Efforts Towards Better Sanitation And Hygiene

Seuli Saha, another Minister of State colleague who was present at the event echoed similar sentiments about public awareness on sanitation challenges. She stressed on collaborative efforts involving various departments like panchayat & rural development and public health engineering towards ensuring better sanitation facilities and hygiene practices.

"‘Water For People’, an organisation working with the objective to promote high-quality drinking water access and sanitation services accessible to all is currently collaborating closely with these departments," she shared.

Promoting National Flagship Programmes

Saha further mentioned that ‘Water For People’ is extending support towards accelerating two national flagship programmes - Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) & Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM). Both these initiatives aim at providing universal access to clean drinking water & improving cleanliness and sanitation facilities across the country.

The JJM focuses on providing every rural household with a functional tap connection by 2024. On the other hand, SBM aims at making India open defecation free and improving waste management practices.

In conclusion, the warning about groundwater depletion in West Bengal underscores an urgent need for concerted efforts towards sustainable water management. Moreover, it highlights the importance of public participation and collaboration among various departments in ensuring better sanitation and hygiene. The active involvement of organizations like 'Water For People' further reinforces this collaborative approach towards achieving national development goals related to water and sanitation.