The 2nd All-India State Water Ministers’ Conference, organized by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, concluded in Udaipur, Rajasthan, highlighting several key initiatives for water management and conservation.
- Theme: “India@2047 – A Water Secure Nation”
- First Conference (2023): Held in Bhopal, focusing on water security, water use efficiency, governance, climate resilience, and water quality.
Key Initiatives Suggested by the 2nd All-India State Water Ministers’ Conference
- Agricultural Water Management:
- Adoption of micro-irrigation techniques (drip and sprinkler irrigation) to improve efficiency.
- Expansion of Pressurized Irrigation Networks (PIN) to reduce water wastage.
- Use of Evapotranspiration (ET)-based irrigation performance assessment to monitor crop water needs.
- ET combines soil evaporation and plant transpiration, ensuring optimal water use for agriculture.
- River Rejuvenation:
- Implementation of floodplain zoning to mitigate flood risks.
- Restoration of springs and traditional water sources to improve river flows.
- Quantification of water consumption for efficient river basin management and restoration.
- Strengthening Drinking Water Supply:
- Sustaining the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) through Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSCs).
- Enhancing urban water security under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) by improving water supply infrastructure.
- Promoting greywater management and wastewater reuse under Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0.
- Improving Water Storage:
- Extension, Renovation, and Modernization (ERM) of existing water storage systems to maximize efficiency.
- Restoring smaller water bodies to enhance water availability in rural and urban areas.
- Automated reservoir operations for better water storage and distribution management.
- Strengthening Water Governance:
- Implementing Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) with state-specific approaches.
- Strengthening grassroots participation in water governance.
- Scaling up ‘Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari’ to encourage community-driven water conservation efforts.
Significance of the Conference:
- Addressing water scarcity challenges and ensuring sustainable water management.
- Aligning with India’s goal of becoming a water-secure nation by 2047.
- Enhancing state and national-level collaboration in water conservation efforts.
This conference serves as a major step towards integrated water management and aims to strengthen India’s water resilience for future generations.
