Conserve Water

The Ministry of Jal Shakti on Saturday launched the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain-2024' to optimise rainwater harvesting and other sustainable water management practices. Speaking at the launch of the campaign here in the national capital, Minister for Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat emphasised the pivotal role of women in water management, conservation, and sustainability. The event themed Nari Shakti se Jal Shakti', which marked the fifth edition of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan, was held at the New Delhi Municipal Council Convention Centre. Under Nari Shakti se Jal Shakti', the campaign seeks to establish a strong connection between women empowerment and the sustainable management of water resources, Shekhawat said. Key highlights of the event include the screening of a documentary titled Jal Shakti Abhiyan 2019 to 2023'- a public-led movement marching towards water security' and unveiling of two books Jal Shakti Abhiyan: 2019 to 2023' and 101 Water Champions of Jal Jeevan ..

Over the course of four years, this mission has increased rural tap connection coverage, soaring from 32 mn households in August 2019 to the current remarkable figure

No state has less than 30 per cent household coverage of tap water connection in rural India and there is no habitation in the country which does not have portable drinking water at least to the extent needed for cooking and drinking, a senior official said. Addressing the 16th Civil Services Day, Secretary, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation Vini Mahajan said more than 8.54 crore rural households with more than 40 crore people have benefitted under the programme. "This is more than the population of the US, almost twice that of Brazil and Nigeria," she added. "No state has below 30 per cent household coverage of tap water connection in rural India. No habitation in country which does not have portable drinking water at least to the extent of 8-10 lpcd needed for cooking and drinking," Mahajan said. According to the Jal Jeevan Mission data, West Bengal has the lowest coverage of tap water connections at 32 per cent among states while Lakshadweep has the lowest coverage amo

The committee was given instructions to convene within a week, interact with relevant stakeholders and authorities, and develop and implement an action plan based on the situation's actual facts

Water-intensive crops like sugarcane cultivation is not suitable for a water-starved Maharashtra

With reference to the piece by Romit Sen and Kamal Vatta, "The importance of water management" (March 22), water is gradually becoming a scarce commodity. Rainwater harvesting and building dams are some of the means by which we can conserve water.Charges on water should be increased to deter people from wasting it. They should be made aware of ways to conserve water. Without water conservation, economic growth and development would not be possible. If water is conserved it can be diverted to industries that depend on water and thus development and economic growth would be brought about.Maids working in homes should be educated about the benefits of conserving water.Veena Shenoy Thane (West)Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:The Editor, Business StandardNehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar MargNew Delhi 110 002Fax: (011) 23720201E-mail: letters@bsmail.inAll letters must have a postal address and telephone number