Dr. Vishwas Mehta IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Water Resources Department,
Shri R. Srinivasan, Chief General Manager, NABARD,
Shri V. Kunhambu, Regional Director, Central Ground Water Board,
Dr. A. Kowsigan, Managing Director, Kerala Water Authority,
Shri K. Gopalakrishnan, Executive Director, Jalanidhi,
Shri J. Justin Mohan, Director, Ground Water Department,
Shri K.A. Joshi, Chief Irrigation, Irrigation Department,
Sahodaree Sahodaranmare,
Ellavarkkum Ente Namaskaram.
It gives me great pleasure to inaugurate State level observance of World Water Day 2019, 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, Leaving no one Behind,reminds us of the gap that exists today in terms of the demand and availability of water and about the current imbalance in the access to clean water.
As we all know, it was in 1992 that the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development [UNCED] recommended to the United Nations General Assembly about fixing an international day to celebrate freshwater. Accordingly, the 22nd of March 1993 was designated as the first World Water Day. Since then, the International World Water Day has been held annually on this day to focus global attention on the importance of freshwater and to advocate the sustainable management of freshwater resources.
On this day, and almost on every day, we must think loudly on how access to water and sanitation and sustainable water management can be drivers of change. The concept ofWater for all implies that all citizens, including the elderly, disabled, marginalized and the poor, get access to clean drinking water and proper sanitation, as envisaged in the Sustainable Development Goals.
Indian culture has accorded a holy status to water, since it is one of the elements that constitute and sustain life on Earth. Our legends see it as the source of life and as one which could put an end to lives. In fact, we in Kerala, who have always enjoyed the availability of clean water, also had an unfortunate opportunity to see how deadly, water could be. The deluge of 2018, which shook the foundations of our progress, was a lesson and a warning that reminded us of the way we neglected our water sources. It was almost like 'Water, water everywhere, but not any drop to drink'.
Today, in spite of having 44 rivers, a vast expanse of backwaters, almost 20,000 public ponds, streams and a rainfall which is above the national average, our State is reeling under an unusually hot Sun and a severe shortage of water. The damage caused by unscientific human interventions in the past has been so severe that today, one of the major challenges is to replenish our ground water. Studies have revealed that the water table has declined in many parts of the state compared to the last year and the average in the last decade. The loss of top soil in many parts of the state is also a cause for concern as it affects the recharging of the ground water. We have to bear in mind that at present, as per UN observations, one third of the world’s biggest groundwater systems are already in distress. We in Kerala, must work had to save ourselves from such a situation.
The need of the hour is to initiate an appropriate watershed management program involving soil and water conservation, renovation of the water bodies like ponds and streams to enhance their water holding capacity. We also need scientific management of our surface water so as to help our State to overcome both drought and floods. I am happy that the Water Resources Department has joined hands with the Departments of Soil Survey and Soil Conservation, Agriculture, Rural Development, Local Self Governments and SUCHITWA Mission, under the umbrella of the Haritha Keralam Mission to ensure that our valuable natural resources like water and soils are adequately conserved for posterity.
What we need today is an integrated management of our water resources so that there is a sustainable supply of water for our citizens, farmers and our industries. We should ensure that people living in interior parts of the state get safe drinking water through mini water-supply schemes. At the same time, we should also promote large scale construction of artificial groundwater recharge structures and scientific methods which would help to conserve rain water.
I am happy that the Water Resource Department has been monitoring surface and ground water on a real time basis under the National Hydrology Project, implemented jointly by the Central and State governments. I hope these efforts will help us to overcome floods and drought. Now that we are almost sure about climate change, global warming etc., impacting the world in the coming years, it is the duty of every citizen to be prepared for such events. We must also consider the warning of the United Nations that due to climate change, by 2030, water scarcity in some arid and semi-arid places will displace millions of people.
If we should not be part of those millions, we must see Water Conservation as a joint responsibility of the government and the people. Sadly, almost half the usable water in India is known to be going waste, at a time when over millions of Indians do not get clean water. Our conservation measures should also extend to agriculture, by ensuring better facilities for drip and micro irrigation.
As we celebrate the World Water Day with the theme of Leaving No one Behind, let us pledge to conserve every drop of water for our own sustenance and for future generations.
I congratulate the Water Resource Department for organizing this event to generate awareness among the people. Let this World Water Day be an eye opener to every human mind on the need to conserve every drop of water.
Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
