President of India calls for mass water conservation movement

NEW DELHI: President of India, Droupadi Murmu, has called for a mass water conservation movement with the message of 'Catch the Rain: Where it Falls When it Falls.' Inaugurating the 'India Water Week,' which runs from 17th September onwards, Murmu said the goal of reducing the number of people suffering from water scarcity is a matter of great importance for humanity at large. 'Under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, there is an emphasis on supporting and strengthening the participation of local communities to improve water and sanitation management,' she noted. It is in this context that Murmu called for converting the Indian government's ongoing rainwater conservation campaign into a mass movement. 'The objective is to achieve rainwater harvesting, water conservation, increasing forest wealth and other goals of water management. Children can also play an important role in water management by promoting proper use of water. All citizens will have to play the role of water-warriors,' the Pr esident said. She cautioned that India's share of the world's water resources is only 4 percent. About 80 percent of the water available in India is used in agriculture. 'Water resources are limited. The supply of water to everyone is possible only through efficient use of this precious resource.' An international conference is being held under the auspices of the Ministry of Jal Shakti (Indian for water power) from 17th to 20th September as part of the India Water Week with the theme 'Partnerships and Cooperation for Inclusive Water Development and Management'. Source: Emirates News Agency