Now, the availability of sweet water, which constitutes 0.3 per cent of the water available in the earth and is very important for sustenance of life and economic development, is decreasing day by day because of the increasing population, pollution and various negative human activities. If surface water is not conserved and used wisely and the groundwater level not maintained, the temperature would be increased and climate change would take dangerous proportions in coming days.
Noted environmentalists viewed this at a seminar held by the Orissa Environmental Society (OES) here. They suggested that massive awareness be created and adequate measures be taken at both Government and private sectors to weed out the problem.
“Water is not only required for sustenance of life but also for agriculture and industry activities. Due to unethical competition in use of water, increase in pollution and decrease in forests, availability of water is decreasing and the quality has also been impacted. Now time has come to protect water sources, conserve rainwater and maintain groundwater level. Massive awareness and required measures should be taken,” opined they.
OES president Dr Sundara Narayan Patro presided over the meeting. The Climate Reality Project, India’s National Coordinator Colonel Shashikant Dalvi gracing as chief guest said 70 per cent water is being used in agriculture sector, 22 per cent in industry and eight per cent in household sector now. In coming two decades, the water use in the industry sector would be doubled. While 17 per cent of world’s population live in India, only 4 per cent of sweet water is available here.
At the outset, OES secretary Dr Jayakrushna Panigrahi delivered the welcome address. Prafulla Kumar Dhal, who is working for conservation of water, introduced guests. Many environmentalists and intellectuals joined the programme. The seminar came to an end with a vote of thanks proposed by OES vice-president Dr Lala AK Singh.