The Government has emphasized that the challenge presented by Climate Change can be mitigated by adopting latest technology for saving water and using water more efficiently. Speaking at the inaugural function of the 4th India Water Week here today, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar, said that the ferocity and frequency of erratic monsoons, untimely rains and more cycles of droughts and floods is being witnessed. The Environment Minister outlined eight initiatives taken by the Ministry that have started showing results: 1.Mandating industries to achieve water efficiency and adopt zero liquid discharge in distilleries and other industries. .Target is to reduce 50% water requirement in industries by adopting 3 Rs – Recover, Recycle and Reuse technology.
The construction industry has also been mandated to harvest water and use it effectively through innovations like recharge it in borewell by filtering. 3. All Waste Management Rules revamped, with the aim of reducing pollution of water. Presently, nearly 50% solid waste goes into and pollutes water bodies. Reduce water pollution through new environmental governance. 4.Take up intensive watershed development programme in all reserved forests, so as to ensure water and fodder augmentation, which will sustain animal life. 5.Brought new sustainable sand mining rules, so that the rivers will not die.
The essence of the new rule is that the quantity and place of sand mining will be decided by satellite mapping of the river to know where and how many sand deposits have accumulated. 6. Special afforestation programme being taken up in catchment areas of rivers. 7.Encourage river linking schemes. Ken-Betwa is being considered for approval and a decision will be given soon with adequate environmental safeguards. 8.With effective implementation of strict pollution regime, succeeded in reducing 30% of the industrial pollution in Ganga. Shri Javadekar said that the Prime Minister’s ‘mantra’ – “Per Drop, More Crop” is the guiding theme. He expressed happiness that Minister of Agriculture of Israel, Mr Uri Ariel has presented before the world how water resources can be used efficiently.