A programme was held at the Indian Institute of Soil & Water Conservation (IISWC) on March 22 to mark World Water Day. Speaking on the occasion, the officiating director of the institute NK Sharma spoke on the importance of water resources and various techniques for water conservation. Addressing students from various educational institutes on the occasion, the IISWC Human Resource Development and Social Science Department head lakhan Singh spoke on the importance of efforts for conservation of water for ensuring the desired level of development in the nation.
Principal scientist Charan Singh informed the students about the importance of World Water Day. The students were also informed about the various works undertaken by the institute apart from which they were also taken on a tour of the institute and explained the technical aspects in use. An exhibition was also set up to display the various techniques used by the institute for water conservation.
The events of the Day conveyed the messages of PK Mishra, Director, IISWC on the theme of the World Water Day 2015, the sustainable development and the emphasis of water as a commodity and the medium of ecosystem supports. NK Sharma highlighted the needs and means of conserving water resources and various concerns of personal responsibilities of individuals as citizens in light of increasing pollution and reducing per capita water availability.
He informed the gathering that water is a precious resource available in defined quantum that needs to be used in most appropriate manner in every use. lakhan Singh, Head, HRD &SS explained the conservation needs of water citing couple of examples of water scarce scenarios that he experienced. He went on to record that life without water is unimaginable. Charan Singh, Principal Scientist (Forestry) pointed the associated intricacies of water resource conservation while introducing the importance of the World Water Day and the need for water recycling and judicious use of the scarce resource.
Earlier, M Muruganandam, Sr Scientist (Fisheries) welcomed the participants and conducted the interactive session of the Day. During the exhibition session, he explained the students, faculty members and other participants on the status, sources and importance of water resources, prevailing conservation programs nationally and internationally, possible personalised solutions to conserve water resources etc. using various pictorial exhibits displayed on the occasion.
SS Srimali, Sr Scientist (CAA) pointed out the need of every one as a citizen, educator, researcher, manager, administrator, policy maker. to contribute in effecting the water conservation. Principal Scientists, Harsh Mehta (Plant Breed.), Bankey Bihari (Agri. Ext.) and DR Sena (SWC Engg) clarified their questions on virtual water, desalinisation of saline or sea water economically for productive uses including drinking purpose etc.
Suresh Kumar, RK Arya, VK Dwivedi, MP Juyal and KR Joshi, Sr Tech. Officers exhibited the exhibits of the Museum to the participants. Students, faculty members and the participants raised many relevant questions of water management during the interactive discussion with the Scientists and recorded their positive impression on the outcome of the Day.
The discussion on roof-top harvesting, appropriate metering and effective taxing of water uses to regulate misuses or degradation, promotion of green-belts and green technologies etc. for conservation of water resources were emerged during the live discussion that benefited one and all at various event points of the day. Water forms and quality, aquatic ecosystems, components and sustenance of ecosystems to get continued ecosystem services like recycling of nutrients and gases, supply of fish etc. were also explained to the participants.
At the end, the participants were sensitised on the nationally on-going Swachchh Bhatart Abhiyan to maintain cleanliness of the premises for the benefit of environment and health. Integrated watershed management, water harvesting for sustainable agriculture production and environmental improvement, integrated uses of water resources through suitable integrated farming technologies for ensuring improved water productivity and rural livelihoods were highlighted during the event.