Experts Raise Alarm over Water Crisis

MUMBAI, INDIA - A panel discussion on ‘Water Matters: Water for All’ was organised by World Trade Centre (WTC) Mumbai and Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority (MWRRA) on March 23, 2016 marking World Water Day. Dr. Mihir Shah, Former Member of the Planning Commission, Government of India presented the keynote address. He said, “We need a paradigm shift in water management. The first part involves efficient management of command areas of water, which can be learnt from the models of Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Also, the last mile connectivity would ensure that the farmer receives the water stored in dams”. Dr Shah opined that the government’s role in water management is only that of a facilitator, by making data on water resources available to farmers and others, to take informed decisions on use of groundwater.

Mr. Nikhilesh Jha, IAS, Additional Secretary & Mission Director, National Water Mission, Government of India opined that the state governments must empower water users associations, encourage participatory water management and community-led command area development. Though India receives on an average more rainfall every year as compared to Israel, yet the latter meets its water demand, through recycling of waste water and desalination of sea water. Mr. Jha raised concerns about the quality of freshwater in the country given that only 19% of the sewage water is treated before it is released into sea and other water bodies.

Mr. Manish Kumar, Sr. Institutional Development Specialist, Water and Sanitation Programme, The World Bank called for community action rather than government intervention saying, “There is a need for social response to water and sanitation issues”.

Mr. Ravi B. Budhiraja I.A.S. (Retd.), Chairman, MWRRA highlighted the poor urban water management by mentioning that the biggest threat for water security is the discharge of untreated sewage water in rivers and other water bodies. At a time when the population in urban areas is rising rapidly, there is a dying need to evolve effective solutions for urban water management and regulation. Maharashtra is the leader in setting up a regulatory organization in the water sector.

Mrs. Malini Shankar, I.A.S., Additional Chief Secretary – Environment, Government of Maharashtra said “Amidst the uproar over the claim on water resources, we have forgotten the issue of ‘water quality’. Quality of drinking water can be ensured only through 100% treatment of sewage water before it mixes with fresh water,” Ms. Shankar explained.

Mr. Vijay Kalantri, Vice Chairman, WTC Mumbai remarked “Individuals and government must practice what they preach and the accountability for water conservation lies at all levels. Also, government must set up an effective accountability mechanism to ensure that schemes are implemented in a time-bound manner. “Exploring business opportunities in water management not only addresses water crisis, but also generates employment opportunities and overall growth of the economy”.

PHOTO:  Dr. Mihir Shah being felicitated by Mr. Vijay Kalantri on the occasion of World Water Day.