Stating that conservation of ground water is a major challenge, Union minister Uma Bharti today said the Narendra Modi government will work to make water the "cause of friendship and not of war" among states and neighbouring countries.
The Water Resources Minister also appealed to people to come forward and play a crucial role for the cause of conservation of ground water.
"Conserving ground water and keeping it clean has become a major challenge today. We have to work on three different levels- to collect rain water, store it underground and keep it clean," Bharti said.
The minister, who also holds portfolios of River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, laid the foundation stone of the National Ground Water Training and Research Institute at Tuta village in Naya Raipur, the upcoming new capital of Chhattisgarh.
"People feel that third World War will be fought over water. However, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Centre will work in such a way that water (river) should become reason for strengthening friendship between states and neighbouring countries like Bangaldesh, Pakistan and China (as many cross border rivers of India flows through these nations)," she said.
Uma said the maximum quantity of ground water has been exhausted in the country.
"There are several discrepancies with use of ground water in different states. A national level committee has been constituted clubbing three Union ministries, including Rural Development, Water Resources Development and Environment and Forest Department, which will collectively work for lifting ground water level and its conservation," she added.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said it was
necessary to convert development into a public movement. Nothing can be more significant than water, in the quest towards creating public movement for development," the minister said, adding the mission for conservation of water, particularly ground water, can easily be converted into a massive public movement.
Besides, the Centre has set a target to provide irrigation facility in around 80 lakh hectare area under Prime Minister Agriculture Irrigation Scheme by 2020, she added.
The minister called upon public representatives, officials and public to come forward and accept the challenge of initiating ground water conservation in at least 2-3 villages which are face ground water shortage problems.
Speaking on the river inter-linking project, Uma said some "politically vested interests" have created misconceptions that Mahanadi river water will be flown into Godavari.
"It is not that Mahanadi river water will be flown into Godavari, but the Mahahadi will be linked with Manas-Sankosh-Teesta-Ganga Link Project.
"Water will flow from upstream Teesta-Ganga link into river Mahanadi and only when the water requirement in Mahanadi will be fulfilled, the excess water will be flown into River Godavari," she added.
She also called upon general public not to pollute water bodies.
The Centre has allocated Rs 43 crore for setting up the first phase of National Ground Water Training and Research Institute which will be erected fully in two different stages.
