Water conservation stressed on World Water Day observed in Sikkim

Gangtok: World Water Day is held annually on 22nd March to focus attention on the importance of fresh drinking water for sustainable management of freshwater. In the year 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) it was for the first time recommended to observe the day.

This year’s theme for the day was ‘Clean Water for a healthy world’. Central Water Commission, Gangtok Unit, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India, organized a programme on Monday, March 22, to observe the World Water day in the conference hall of the Forest Secretariat here in the capital in which Minister for Forest, Environment & Wildlife Management Mr. Bhim Dhungel was chief guest.

Mr. Dhungel in his address highlighted the importance of drinking and fresh water and noted that only two percent of the total water in the planet was fit for drinking. It is of utmost importance to conserve and preserve the fresh waters, he said. He further said that Sikkim was being recognized by the nation as the first state in India to have achieved complete sanitation for the award of Nirmal Rajya. Earlier Mr. A.K. Jain highlighted the work that has been taken up by Central Water Commission which was established in the state of Sikkim way back in the year 1974.

Mr. P.S. Basnet, Secretary PHE, Secretary Mines and Geology, Mr. M.L Arrawatia, Inspector General of Police, Fire Service, Mr. A. Sachdev shared their views on the importance of fresh waters and to need for its conservation to avert a serious crisis of fresh waters. Mr. Sandip Tambe, Addl Secretary, Rural Management & Development Department, gave a power point presentation on Dhara Vikash or spring shed development programmes undertaken in the state under a central scheme. The programme included a magic show and cultural extravaganza presented by the local artists along with an audio visual show for mass awareness on water. (With IPR input)

Source: Sikkim Reporter