New Delhi: The year 2015-16 will be observed as water conservation year and a public movement will be launched during the year to conserve the precious resource, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Minister Uma Bharti said Wednesday. Bharti said the cooperation of state governments, NGOs, civil society, youth and retired personnel will be taken in efforts aimed at conserving water. "Public movement has become a necessity for conservation of water and rivers in the country. Water is an important element of development, but in some places the sacred water of river Ganga is not even fit for consumption by animals," Bharti said while inaugurating an international seminar here on water risk and water stewardship.