‘World Water Day’ observed across Kashmir
Srinagar: The ‘World Water Day’ is being observed annually across the globe on March 22 with the purpose of highlighting the importance of water and raising awareness about the water crisis that the world faces.
Meanwhile to observe Jal shakti Abhiyan, launched by the Prime Minister under the theme ‘Catch the Rain, where it falls, when it falls’, to strengthen water conservation efforts in the country, functions were held across all the districts of Kashmir.
The live telecast of launch of Jal Shakti Abhiyan by Prime Minister was also streamed live by the respective district administrations across all the districts at respective block and tehsil levels and watched by the participants.
Later, the participants also took part in the live ‘Jal Shapath’ Oath administered by Lieutenant Governor, J&K UT.
At Budgam: On World Water Day, a mega seminar was today organized by the Department of Jal Shakti, Division Budgam in collaboration with District Administration at Sheikh ul Alam Hall here.
The District Development Council Chairman Nazir Ahmad Khan, District Development Commissioner (DDC) Budgam, Shahbaz Ahmed Mirza, other DDC members, ADC Dr Nasir, BDC Chairman, MC President, SE Hydraulics, ACD Nuzhat Qureshi other District Officers and Officials of Department of Jal Shakti were present on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, the DDC reiterated that the aim and objective of celebrating world water day is to save water to save generation. He said our motive shall be to preserve and prevent its misuse.
He said there is a need for creating mass awareness about the preservation of water resources and making judicious use of it. He said the department of Jal Shakti needs to involve all resources to ensure judicious use of water, and prevent its misuse.
The DDC said that people shall be inspired and advised to take advantages from rainy seasons to preserve and store rainwater so that the same can be used during water shortages for Agricultural and Horticulture purposes.
In his address, SE Hydraulics Budgam said that various projects/Schemes worth Rs 700 Crs have been earmarked to be taken in hand under various centrally/ State sponsored schemes to overcome the water storages.
He said in addition to enhancing the capacity and supplies, Rs 400 Crs have also been targeted and kept approved to be utilized to rejuvenate the damaged and old existing drinking water transmission system.
During the proceedings a mini drama skit was presented and performed by renowned artists, demonstrating captions relating to today’s theme.
On the conclusion, Department of Jal Shakti Budgam felicitated DDC Chairman Nazir Ahmad Khan, DDC Shahbaz Ahmed Mirza, SE Hydraulics with mementos for their sincere efforts and administrative support envisaging the initiative launched by the department.
At Ganderbal: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ganderbal, Krittika Jyotsna today presided over the function organized to mark the celebration of World Water Day in the district.
The function was organized by the Rural Water Supply Division Ganderbal in the lawns of Mini Secretariat Ganderbal with an aim to sensitize the participants about the importance of water and advocate the sustainable management of freshwater resources.
The event was attended by the Executive Engineer Jal Shakhti division Ganderbal, CEO Ganderbal, DIO Ganderbal besides students of various schools of the district.
During the function, a series of theme based programs were held like debates, painting competitions and cultural events.
Various students also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the need for conservation of water resources and judicial usage of drinking water.
While addressing the gathering, the DC appreciated all the students who shared their valuable information regarding the importance of saving water through painting and lectures. She urged upon all the participants to adopt sustainable practices and play an important role in water conservation.
She stressed upon everyone to understand the importance of celebrating World Water Day adding that it is the responsibility of this generation to conserve water so that the future generation have a good life.
Later, mementos and certificates were given to the students who participated in painting and debate competitions.
At Anantnag: On World Water Day, District Jal Jeevan Mission and Hydraulic Circle Anantnag in collaboration with Kashmir Research Institute of Education and Solar Technology (KRIEST) today organised a mega function at Dak Bungalow Khanabal.
The event was presided over by Chairman District Development Council, Mohammad Yousuf Gorsi and was attended by District Development Commissioner, Dr. Piyush Singla, President MCA, Er. Hilal Ah Shah, DDC members, ACD, Nisar Ahmad Malik, SE Hydraulic Circle Anantnag, Gh. Mohammad, other engineers of Jal Shakti Department, district and sectoral officers and a large number of local people.
In his address, Dr. Singla said the district administration has been vigorously pursuing all water conservation schemes including convergence models. He also assured to connect all households with safe and clean drinking water supply besides providing quality irrigation facilities to the farmers.
The speakers on the occasion highlighted the overall importance of water in sustaining life besides the measures to be taken to conserve and augment water resources. A special emphasis was laid on sustainable management of ‘fresh water resources’ and the relevance of World Water Day.
The experts on the occasion elaborated on the key slogans such as ‘Catch the Rain, where it falls, when it falls’, ‘Soch Badlo to Desh Badlega’, ‘Every Drop of Water is precious’, ‘Save Water Save Life/Generation’ etc. associated with the Abhiyan and imparted key awareness to the audience regarding its smooth implementation.
During the event, the technicalities of the programme were explained in simplest terms besides video messages, documentaries and short films were also presented.
On the occasion, DDC Chairman and other DDC members also shared their valuable thoughts and pledged to educate and involve common masses at grassroots level to augment efforts of the campaign.
The engineers and officials of Jal Shakti dept, KRIEST etc were felicitated with certificates, trophies and mementos for their commendable work vis-à-vis water conservation.
Similar programmes were held at all Block Hqrs where respective Block Development Council Chairpersons presided over the events in presence of officers of Jal Shakti, RDD and other concerned departments besides local public.
As part of the function, many water supply and water conservation projects were inaugurated across the district.
At Pulwama: The District Jal Jeevan Mission Pulwama in collaboration with Jal Shakti Division, Pulwama today organised an impressive function at DC Office complex here to mark the World Water Day.
The function was presided over by District Development Commissioner Pulwama, Baseer ul Haq Choudhary.
Besides Chairman District Development Council Pulwama, Syed Bari Andrabi, the function was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Pulwama/ Tral, SE Hydraulics, Pulwama, Executive Engineer Jal Shakti Pulwama, Newly Elected DDC members and other concerned officers and officials of the district.
At the outset, the DDC said that the need of the hour is to protect and preserve the water bodies, especially the springs, irrigation khols and streams to prevent the water crisis, which is a challenge before the whole world. He expressed concern over the diminishing water bodies and urged upon the participants to play a constructive role in water conservation and preservation.
The DDC said that several initiatives have been taken by the Govt to provide potable drinking water to every household and emphasized upon officers to sensitize the people about the importance of preserving the water resources and the ways and means to preserve and protect them.
He enjoined upon the officers to adopt Sustainable practices in water conservation besides taking advantage of convergence models.
Later, the DDC administered Pledge to participants to save and conserve water and make its judicious use under the theme, Catch the Rain.
The DDC also started a signature cum wall writing campaign in connection with Jal Shakti Abhiyaan.
Similarly, the pledge to conserve the water bodies was also administered in each educational institute (College, HSS, HS and lower schools) in both Govt and Private educational institutions in the district.
At Shopian: A mega function on the eve of World Water Day was organized by Jal Shakti Department Shopian with District Development Commissioner (DDC) Shopian, Sachin Kumar in Chair.
Speaking on the occasion, the DDC raised awareness among people about the importance of fresh-water and the need to save the precious gift of nature by making its judicious use. He further said that it is the responsibility of all of us to save and preserve the water as it is essential for our life.
He said that under Jal Jeevan Mission every household would get tap supply in the district and for this purpose several measures are being taken.
The day witnessed a massive campaign on water conservation and the audience was asked to actively participate in such campaigns and play a constructive role in water conservation and preservation.
A pledge of oath also took place on the occasion to preserve and save every drop of water.
Among others, DDCs, Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr. Sheikh Ab Aziz, Joint Director Planning, PRIs, Ex. Engineers PHE Shopian, Officers/Officials of PHE and other concerned were present on the occasion.
At Bandipora: The District Administration Bandipora on Monday organised a grand event to celebrate the World Water Day and commemorate the Week Long functions organised to create awareness at grassroots level regarding the importance of water.
The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora Dr Owais Ahmad was the Chief Guest on the occasion while DDC Chairperson, Vice Chairperson ADDC Bandipora, ADC Bandipora, Joint Director Planning, BDC Chairpersons, Executive Engineer PHE, district and sectoral officers, members of K-Ford, an NGO, students, Asha workers and Anganwari workers were present on the occasion.
Speaking at the event, the DC said that the aim of celebrating the week was to sensitize the public and the officers alike regarding the importance of water conservation.
He said that several initiatives are being taken to provide potable drinking water to every household and made a reference of centrally sponsored Jal Jeevan Mission, which aims to provide the potable drinking water to every rural household.
Dr Owais said the district had conducted a survey under JJM to assess the situation at ground level regarding the availability of potable water. He said after the administration got the real picture of the situation, an action plan was framed to ensure supply of pure drinking water of which the implementation will start from now.
DC formally inaugurated the JJM in the district and said that several projects have been taken up for providing water supply including construction of new water supply schemes, source promotion, completion of languishing projects besides other schemes and initiatives.
He administered an oath to the audience wherein they pledged to save water and take steps to ensure conservation of water.
He also stressed on using modern scientific techniques in farming that ensure more production with less wastage of water. He said several initiatives have been taken to ensure water is not wasted and every drop that falls on the earth is saved for the benefit of the ecosystem.
The DC stressed for the judicious use of water and its resources.
Various programs were displayed on the occasion to specify the importance of Water. Certificates and cash prices were also distributed among the best student speakers on the occasion.
It was given out that Cluster level mega Awareness programmes with PRIs and Rural populations were conducted during the week.
At Kupwara: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kupwara, Imam Din today urged upon all the stakeholders to take part in the water conservation efforts so that the gift of nature in the shape of water could be preserved for posterity.
The DC said this while taking a pledge to save the water on the eve of World Water Day, here.
Chairman, District Development Council (DDC), Kupwara, Irfan Sultan Panditpuri, Deputy Chairman, DDC, Haji Farooq Ahmad Mir were also present, besides, various DDC members, ADDC, ADC Kupwara, ACR and District Officers also took pledge, on the occasion.
Jal Shakti Abhiyan was also observed at block level, participated by BDC Chairperson, besides, Block level Officers and Officials and pledge was taken to conserve water and ensure its judicious use.
At Kulgam: On the eve of World Water Day, celebrations were held across the district besides a grand function was held within the premises of Mini Secretariat, Kulgam.
The programme was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kulgam, Dr.Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat.
Speaking on the occasion, the DC highlighted the historical background of the day and said that preservation and conservation of water and water resources is our collective responsibility and every individual/Stakeholder has to play a proactive role for this noble cause.
While highlighting the importance of such programmes Dr.Bilal said that the main aim and objective of such programmes is to generate awareness among masses about water management.
He added that keeping in view the present scenario of water crises in the world and water scarcity our country in particular is going to face in coming years, the GoI has launched Jal Shakti Abhiyan for holistic conservation of water through public participation.
The DC added that we have to become more water conscious and have to adopt a multipronged approach to conserve and preserve water and water resources.
Project manager IWMP, Mohammad Imran Khan also highlighted the measures and steps which were put in place to replenish groundwater in the district and said that Water recharge pits, harvesting tanks, irrigation canals were constructed to replenish groundwater at Kulgam.
The programme was attended by District Development Council Chairperson, Mohammad Afzal and other DDC members, ADDC, Ex. Engineer Jal Shakti, other officers students and general public.
Meanwhile a live telecast of formal launch of Jal Shakti Abhiyan was also held.