CURATED BY – RAJIV KHARE | CITYCHIEFNEWS

Dhamtari, In the Jal Jagar organized on the banks of Ravishankar Reservoir (Gangrel Dam) in Dhamtari, policy makers, environmentalists, experts and representatives of national and international organizations from the country and abroad are communicating on water storage and water conservation. They are sharing the story of successful work in their respective fields, highlighting the importance of water storage and water conservation in the International Water Conference organized here. They are discussing their effective measures in depth and are also deciding the action plan to implement them on the ground.

Amidst various activities organized in Jal Jagar today, on the first day of the International Water Conference, Additional Secretary of the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Dr. Maninder Kaur Dwivedi, Additional Secretary of the Union Ministry of Water Power Mrs. Archana Verma, Padma Shri honored famous environmentalists Mr. Popatlal Pawar, Shyamsunder Paliwal and Umashankar Pandey and economist and urban development expert Prof. Amitabh Kundu addressed the conference. In the inaugural session of the conference, Collector Ms. Namrata Gandhi informed about the objectives of Jal Jagar and the work being done for water conservation and water storage in Dhamtari district.

Addressing the International Water Conference, Dr. Maninder Kaur Dwivedi, Additional Secretary, Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, said that the initiative of water conservation in Dhamtari is old. The 'Ojaswi' FPO (Farmers Producer Organization) here had started cultivating paddy that requires less water. She told that there are many such varieties of paddy that grow in less water and ripen early. She emphasized on developing more such varieties. She also asked to pay attention to the cultivation of new seeds and other crops.

Additional Secretary, Union Ministry of Water Power, Mrs. Archana Verma said in the International Water Conference that our ancestors had many methods of water storage and water conservation. They respected every drop of water. The basic objective of our Jal Shakti Abhiyan is also to bring back respect for the heritage of water. Public participation is very important in the work of water conservation and storage. Appreciating the organization of Jal Jagar, he said that it is a very good initiative to connect people with water conservation. This is increasing the participation of culture, community and youth.

Padma Shri awarded famous environmentalists and those who have done remarkable work in the field of water conservation, Mr. Popatlal Pawar, Shyamsunder Paliwal and Umashankar Pandey shared success stories of water conservation and storage in the conference. Mr. Pawar said that at least 20 percent of water in water sources should be left for recharge. Only 80 percent of it should be used. Conservation of Western Ghats is necessary to save our Himalayas.

Social worker and environmentalist Mr. Shyamsunder Paliwal told that he worked for water conservation in his area by connecting daughters, water and trees. He also linked it with employment. Environmentalist Mr. Umashankar Pandey said that water is not a subject of the government. It is a subject of society. Water should be taught in schools and colleges. We cannot create water, but we can save water. Famous economist and urban development expert Prof. Amitabh Kundu said in the conference that this is the first time I am seeing such a huge event organized at the district level to raise concern about water. Here policy makers, environmentalists, water conservationists, experts and citizens are discussing about water. They are making strategies to save it. This is a very useful initiative.