Advocate Mathew T Thomas, Minister for Water Resources,
Shri K. Muraleedharan, MLA
Advocate V.K. Prasanth, Mayor, Thiruvananthapuram, Corporation
Shri Tom Jose IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Water Resources Department,
Smt. A. Shainamol IAS, Managing Director, Kerala Water Authority,
Shri A.R. Ajayakumar IAS, Executive Director, Kerala Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency,
Shri Joshy K.A., Chief Engineer, Irrigation Department,
Sahodaree Sahodaranmaare,
Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram,
It gives me great pleasure to inaugurate State level observance of World Water Day 2018, organized by the Water Resources Department, Government of Kerala.
Let me begin by complimenting the Water Resources Department for organizing this programme to draw the people's attention to the significance of water as a resource that needs to be conserved through sustainable methods. The theme, Nature for Water is truly appropriate since it is high time we explored nature-based solutions for the water challenges of the 21st century.
As one of the elements that constitute and sustain life on Earth, Water has always received a sacred status in our culture. At the same time, we have also been taking water and water resources for granted through neglect and pollution. Today, we are enduring a parching summer that has been intensifying year after year, compelling us to believe that drinking water is a commodity and that access to clean water is a right that we are losing day by day.
Apart from being core to sustainability of life on Earth, water is seen worldwide as an economic catalyst which also maintains ecological balance. We should also remember that almost all the present day challenges faced by the world, be it climate change, food security, health issues or poverty, have an intrinsic relation to Water. It is sad to note that almost half the usable water in India is reported to be going waste, at a time when over 77 million people in our country still lack access to clean water. If this does not worry us, the prediction of the United Nations that by the year 2050, the number of people living in severely water scarce areas would touch three billion, should compel us to take water conservation seriously. The United Nations also projects that by 2025, half of the countries worldwide will face water stress or outright shortages. This explains why many fear that future wars, if any, will be fought in the name of water.
As a person hailing from Tamil Nadu, where shortage of water is not new, I had marveled at Kerala, which is blessed with many water resources. But, in spite of having 44 rivers, 3.5 lakh hectares of backwaters, almost 20,000 public ponds, streams and a rainfall which is better than the national average, water shortage has become severe in our State. Our climate has changed and our pattern of rain has become erratic. We cannot put the blame on the terrain and topography alone; in fact, our unscientific human interventions have done more damage than these natural impediments.
Most of you would recall that as soon as I assumed office as Governor, I had said an emphatic NO to bottled water in Raj Bhavan. My intention was to convey the message that water is a people's resource to which everyone deserved access. I felt that water is to be preserved and protected as a right and not to be sold for a price. When we spend money for a resource like water, it points to our inaction in protecting a natural resource. But, sadly, paying for drinking water has stopped making us guilty of our inaction and neglect.
All of us are aware of the Namami Gange Project initiated by Government of India to ensure effective reduction of pollution and rejuvenation of the river Ganga with the aim of ensuring water quality and environmentally sustainable development. The full results of such efforts may not be visible now, but the endeavor had certainly created an awareness among people on the need to maintain our water bodies clean and alive.
I am happy that in Kerala, our Haritha-keralam Mission has been doing good work in the rejuvenation of tanks, ponds, streams and rivers to ensure conservation of water resources. There has also been some awareness on the importance of Rain Water Harvesting, thanks to the efforts of many agencies including the leading mass media. However, if we are to meet our Sustainable Development Goal of ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030, we need to also look for Nature-based solutions like planting new forests and restoring wetlands, restoring forests, grasslands and creating buffers of vegetation along water courses etc.
In this technology-driven age, I would request the Water Resources Department to have projects to encourage investment in Water Management Technologies, especially through our Start up ventures. Developing low cost technologies for desalination of water and better facilities for treatment of waste water for recycling and re use also deserve priority. The culture of recycling should become popular in our domestic sphere also, because most of us do not realize the real quantity of water that we waste every day.
Let us not forget that in a country where almost 70% of water is used for agricultural purposes, better facilities for drip and micro irrigation for agriculture cannot be ignored. We also need to use agricultural research to develop crops which require less water to grow or crops that can thrive in brackish or saline water and even in drought. I would suggest maximum incentives to farmers who use such crops and technologies.
It is true that on World Water Day, our focus is on exploring Nature based solutions for Water related challenges. But, our focus should also shift from mere water supply to water resource management. We cannot allow wastage of water through the supply infrastructure and so, leakage control measures should be strengthened. A leaking pipe should be seen as a serious social offence, be it in the homes or on the road or in our office buildings. And, industries must be encouraged to ensure water treatment and re-use facilities.
I sincerely hope that the observance of World Water Day would encourage everyone to realize that drought is a reality and not just a news item on television. The decision to spread the message of Nature for Water to institutions and Panchayats is laudable, since water conservation and management have to begin from our homes.
I compliment the Water Resource Department for conducting this programme in a befitting manner.
Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
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