New Delhi, AKASH DWIVEDI. Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has said
that states need to be sensitive towards the essential requirements of its
neighbouring states and drinking water is one such requirement. She urged the
Govt. of India to act as an adjudicator in matters of inter-state sharing of
water and suggested that there should be a National Task Force to share
information regarding water.
Raje was addressing the valedictory session of
'India Water Week 2016' at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on Friday.
The Chief Minister
said with increasing uncertainty regarding our ecological future, we need to
match our cropping patterns to agro-climatic conditions. She
said keeping in view the special conditions in Rajasthan regarding water,
special dispensations should be made. Hence, it is time that the ‘one size fits
all’ approach is replaced by schemes, tailor made to our requirements.
Operational flexibility of schemes should be given to the states, she added.
Raje said drought is a part of Rajasthan’s
existence. Since 1949, there have been only 6 years when Rajasthan did not face
drought like conditions in full or in part. She said Rajasthan’s experience in
managing water holds lessons for the entire country. It is in the interest of
other states to learn from Rajasthan’s experience in the intensive treatment of
micro watersheds.
The Chief Minister
said IGNP Canal system was planned for transforming the desert. However, what
was not planned for is the acute unavailability of water from the Rabi-Beas
river systems. Today, those living at the tail end of the canal system are hard
pressed to receive water for irrigation. The old, unlined canals lose
significant water as seepage and this translates into large tracts of arable
lands lost to water logging, she said.
Raje said we need to appreciate that water as
a resource is finite. It is such understanding that has helped us re-draw our
strategies in water management. We have set up in Rajasthan the Rajasthan River
Basin & Water Resources Planning Authority. This authority is looking at
all aspects of water management. Under the 4 water concept which we have
adopted efforts are being made for holistic management of the 4 waters – rain
water, surface water, ground water and soil moisture. Our understanding is that
if these river basins can be rejuvenated, as a next step, we would like to work
on connecting basins for inter-basin transfer of water, and hopefully, a
drinking water grid, she said.
The Chief Minister
said ‘Mukhyamantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan’ taken up in Rajasthan is a
unique and successful programme ensuring participation of different wings
of the government, civil society, businesses houses and citizens for conservation
of water. We intend to create an environment where water conservation becomes a
culture, she said.
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