SHILLONG, MAR 29: Two villages in West Garo Hills have won the second and third prize in the best village panchayat category in the 3rd National Water Awards.
The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind felicitated the winners of the 3rd National Water Awards instituted by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti and launched the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain campaign 2022 today at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
The First Information Brochure of the 7th edition of India’s International Water Resources Event India Water Week -2022, planned to be organized from 1-5 November, 2022 at India Expo Centre, Greater Noida, was also released today by the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat along with Ministers’ of State for Jal Shakti Shri Bishweswar Tudu and Shri Prahalad Singh Patel, and Secretaries from both the departments.
Addressing the gathering, the President of India Ram Nath Kovind said that it will be right to say that Water is Life (Jal Hi Jeevan Hai) and that nature has given us water resources like rivers etc. However, unfortunately we now feel separated from the nature that sustains us. The traditional water conservation structures are vanishing due to urbanization and the challenge of water management is being talked about scientifically today. He emphasized on the fact that India traditionally reveres its rivers and it is very important to achieve water security.
The President further said that we all recognize the importance of water for lives, livelihoods and development. Water scarcity, floods and droughts have the greatest impact on the lives of the poorest and the most vulnerable. The availability of water resources is finite and dependent on the rains. Climate change, which is manifesting itself in the form of changes in the water cycle, also threatens our water security. About 3-4 decades ago, there was no need to buy water. Today, we hear of water riots in some parts. In India, the situation is particularly challenging as India is home to about 18% of the world’s population but we have just 4% of the fresh water resources of the world. It is also said that the next War would be on water. In this backdrop, he added, “all of us will have to be alert and ready. I am happy to note that the Ministry of Jal Shakti is taking steps to address the issues in the water sector”.
Meanwhile, Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma said, “Congratulations to Aminda Simsanggre & Chambagre villages of #WestGaroHills for winning the 2nd & 3rd Prize in the Best Village Panchayat category in the 3rd National Water Awards in recognition of their commendable efforts in the area of water conservation.”
By Our Reporter
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