Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, June 6: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) Vice-Chancellor. Prof Ravindra Kumar Sinha has called upon the individuals, groups and civil societies to own the onus for creating awareness and taking effective steps, at personal level, for conservation of water resources for continuing to live sustainably in harmony with nature.
He was speaking as the chief guest in a webinar on the topic “Conservation of Water Resources for Living Sustainably in Harmony with Nature”, organized by Samiksha, the Society for Promotion of Inclusive and Sustainable Development, as part of activities connected with the World Environment Day.
Dr Sinha underlined the need for adoption of efficient and time-tested traditional practices like storage of rain water in ponds, cultivation of short duration varieties of rice, avoiding flood irrigation and also brought into focus the need to take adequate care of contributory factors like the cattle population and organic matter in soils, bio-diversity, gully plugging and afforestation for augmentation of water and water resources. He said that conservation measures should begin from home rather than waiting for some big action by the governments.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Ajay Khajuria, President Samiksha, while presenting a world perspective on impending water crises and the efforts being made to tackle it at the National and International levels, asserted that for initiatives like Jal Shakti Mission to succeed it was essential that each individual becomes aware and joins the efforts wholeheartedly.
In his keynote address, Dr Vivek Arya, Asstt Professor, SKUAST Jammu, underlined the inalienable correlation between soil and water and climate smart agriculture to meet the requirements of food, fodder, etc and to conserve water by its optimal use.
Speaking on the topic, M L Angurala, Sr Hydro-geologist, Central Ground Water Board, Jammu, emphasized upon the need for conservation of water at the location where it drops .
C M Sharma, Secretary, Samiksha, presented vote of thanks.The webinar was moderated by Malvika Khajuria, founding member of Samiksha and participants in the programme included K B Jandial (IAS-Retd), Dr K S Risam (Ex VC SKUAST Jammu), Jagmohan Sharma, Chairman NE, J&K PDCL, Jammu; Dr Pradip Kumar Saha, National Consultant, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, Sewa Das, former Director General, Geological Survey of India besides other eminent members of the civil society, academicians, environmentalists and students.
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