Former president APJ Abdul Kalam said good water management is needed to control floodwater and channel it for use during non-monsoon period and in drought-prone areas.
He was speaking at the inaugural function of the two-day convention and exhibition on ‘Scientific and technological approaches for sustainable use of water resources’ organised by the Global Indian Scientists and Technocrats (Gist) Forum here on Sunday.
Kalam said interlinking of rivers would provide water to 86 drought-affected regions in the country. “The distribution of flood water through interlinking rivers with water bodies will provide water to drought-prone areas. Every year we receive millions of litres of water and most of it flows down to the sea while we face a water crisis. The water management will also help us in controlling water calamities, which every year claim many lives and destroy properties worth crores of rupees,” he said.
Giving the example of the 9% agriculture sector growth rate in Gujarat, Kalam said, “Water conservation and network of interlinking water bodies made the state record the highest growth rate compared to the rest of the country,”
He said Gist was a unique platform for exchange knowledge and thoughts, and suggested it be an open source for initiating a ‘save drinking water’ campaign for society.
Minister for water resources and chairman of Krishna Valley Development Corporation, Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar, said there are five dams in Pune region but 80% of the water is used for drinking.
“The conclusions of the conference need to be sent to the state government for formulation of water policies,” he added.
Eminent nuclear scientist Anil Kakodkar, computer scientist Vijay Bhatkar and scientist Vasant Gowarikar were present. The inaugural function was followed by speeches by experts.
