has successfully conserved water
for more than three decades.
Every Sunday, he educates
whoever comes to his house on
how to save and reuse water. “The
soap water that every house dis-
charges is the most harmful. I
treat it in a bed planted with
canna indica, which converts the
phosphates in the soap into
phosphorus and absorbs them. The
filtered water is good for plants,”
says the 69-year-old. Sustained
rainwater harvesting, with much
of the water passing through
medicinal plants located on his
roof, ensures a steady supply of
drinking water. The groundwater
recharge ensures an unhindered
availability of water in the well in
his backyard. His home is a field
for green concepts, including
composting and natural cooling.
“He is a true green warrior of
Chennai,” says M.B. Nirmal,
founder of Exnora, a citizen net-
work involved in waste recycling
and water conservation. O
G.C. Shekhar
Behavioural change, proper metering
and river-linking are the solutions in
India, where 240 districts are water-
stressed, and there is 55 per cent
dependency on groundwater for
agriculture and drinking water, says
Union water resources minister
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. Excerpts
from an interview with lola Nayar:How serious is water crisis in india?
The situation is challenging, but we can
get over it. This is the time of the last
call of the alarm as climate change is
knocking at our door. Over the past 15
years, we have witnessed a decline in
monsoons in several areas. We have
also got unpredictable rainfall.
Monsoon duration has reduced. Still,
the total precipitation hasn’t reduced
much. We get rainfall of around 4,000
BCM, of which 3,000 BCM is harvested.
We have to enhance harvesting capaci-
ties. Around 240 districts are water-
stressed. More districts can be added to
this as change in rainfall pattern and
water contamination has led to prob-
lems. Around 1,500 out of over 6,000
blocks are water-stressed.
What measures are required for
water saving, harvesting and
recycling?
We need to bring about behavioural
change. We will come up with a
programme to educate people. A major
component of our proposed Jal Shakti
Abhiyaan is Jal Jagran (water
awareness).
Will metering water supply for both
urban and rural areas, and a water tax
promote judicious use?
Yes, exactly. There are many countries
that receive less rainfall compared to
India, but have achieved self-sufficiencyas they give priority to water security.
Israel is an example. There are four
parameters —harvesting, conservation,
judicious use and recycling. The last
thing is afforestation as it increases the
water-holding capacity of the land.
Water metering can be a good solution
as free water and free power for agricul-
ture makes people careless about how
much water is being extracted, used or
wasted. Since we have over 55 per cent
dependency on groundwater for
agriculture and drinking purposes,
we are unable to see the groundwater
availability, water position and deple-
tion in the groundwater level.
is interlinking rivers a solution for
better water management among the
states?
Yes, because almost one-third of the
nation faces flood-like situation every
year, while other parts face drought-like
situation. But the states need to come
on board.
How is the government planning to
tackle cross-border water problems
leading to floods in Bihar and assam?
We are in talks with Nepal about setting
up barrages and dams there. Some of
the clearances are awaited. Secretary-
level talks have happened in the last
quarter, and I have just received the
file for holding ministerial-level talks.
What is the status of the dam safety
legislation? Will it make the states
more accountable?
It is likely to be tabled in Parliament
during this session. We will request the
stakeholders to come together because
it is a legislation that makes states more
responsible and accountable simulta-
neously. It is expected to bring more
transparency in the maintenance,
operation and safety of dams. Othe situation is challenging,
but we can get over it’
5 august 2019 OutlOOk 37
dry days people queue up
for water in Chennai
Ptigetty images