Deliberations on Water Conservation and Preservation at Jal Jagar

Policymakers, Environmentalists, Experts, and Representatives of National and International Organizations Engaged in Dialogue

In-Depth Discussions on Measures for Water Conservation and Management at International Water Conference

Raipur, October 5

Raipur :Deliberations on Water Conservation and Preservation at Jal Jagar

Raipur :Deliberations on Water Conservation and Preservation at Jal Jagar

At the banks of Ravishankar Reservoir (Gangrel Dam) in Dhamtari, policymakers, environmentalists, experts, and representatives of national and international organizations gathered and engaged in a dialogue on water conservation and management under the banner of the ‘Jal Jagar’ initiative. During this International Water Conference, these experts and dignitaries emphasized on the importance of water conservation, while sharing success stories from their respective fields. Alongside comprehensive deliberations on effective strategies, they are formulating actionable plans to implement these strategies on the ground.

In-Depth Discussions on Measures for Water Conservation and Management at International Water Conference In-Depth Discussions on Measures for Water Conservation and Management at International Water Conference

Among the various activities organized as part of “Jal Jagar”, the first day of the International Water Conference witnessed addresses by Dr. Maninder Kaur Dwivedi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India; Mrs. Archana Verma, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti; Padma Shri awardee and renowned environmentalists, Shri Popatlal Pawar, Shri Shyamsundar Paliwal, and Shri Umashankar Pandey; and economist and urban development expert, Professor Amitabh Kundu. During the inaugural session, Collector Ms. Namrata Gandhi outlined the objectives of the Jal Jagar initiative and provided an overview of the efforts being made in Dhamtari district for water conservation and management.

While addressing the International Water Conference, Dr. Maninder Kaur Dwivedi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, highlighted that Dhamtari has a long-standing tradition of water conservation. The ‘Ojasvi’ Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) in the region had initiated the cultivation of rice varieties that require minimal water. She said that there are numerous such varieties of rice that thrive with less water and ripen quickly. Dr. Dwivedi emphasized the need to develop more such varieties and suggested focusing on new seeds and alternative crops that require reduced water usage.

Mrs. Archana Verma, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti, emphasized during her address at the conference that our ancestors had numerous effective methods for conserving and managing water. They revered every drop of water. The core objective of “Jal Shakti Abhiyan” is to restore this sense of reverence for water resources. Public participation is crucial for the success of water conservation initiatives. She lauded the Jal Jagar initiative, saying that it is a commendable initiative that connects people with water conservation efforts, fostering participation from cultural communities and engaging youth in the process.

Padma Shri awardees and eminent environmentalists—Shri Popatlal Pawar, Shri Shyamsundar Paliwal, and Shri Umashankar Pandey—shared successful stories of water conservation during the conference. Shri Pawar emphasized that at least 20 percent of water in water bodies should be reserved for recharging, and only 80 percent should be utilized. He stressed that conserving the Western Ghats is essential to protect the Himalayan ecosystem.

Social worker and environmentalist Shri Shyamsundar Paliwal shared his experience of linking water conservation efforts with initiatives for daughters and tree plantations in his region, thereby integrating these activities with employment generation. Environmentalist Shri Umashankar Pandey remarked that water is not just a government concern; it is a societal responsibility. He advocated for including water management in school and college curricula. “We cannot create water, but we can certainly conserve it,” he added.

Renowned economist and urban development expert, Professor Amitabh Kundu, stated that it was his first experience witnessing a district-level event of such magnitude dedicated to water conservation. He appreciated the unique convergence of policymakers, environmentalists, water conservators, experts, and citizens engaging in discussions and strategies aimed at preserving water. “This is indeed a highly valuable initiative,” he concluded.