India Water Week begins Apr 8, aims `Water for All`

New Delhi: Around 1,500 delegates from the country and abroad will participate in the fourth 'India Water Week' from 4 to 8 April to discuss water conservation, augmentation of groundwater and irrigation management, Union minister Uma Bharti said today.

To be organised by Water Resources Ministry in partnership with Israel and five states Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Telangana under the theme "Water for all: Striving Together", the event will be inaugurated by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and President Pranab Mukherjee will be the chief guest.

"The change that we want to bring in the attitude of people towards water, rivers, and other water bodies will be supported by through this event," Bharti said.

The event will organise exhibitions showcasing the technologies, latest development and solutions available for improving efficiencies in agriculture and irrigation, water supply and energy generation.

"This will be multi-disciplinary conference enriching the theme with dialogue by national and international community along with the exhibition," Secretary Shashi Shekhar said.

A large group of national and international experts, organisations, research and educational institutes from agriculture and power sector will participate to share their best practices and experiences in water management and conservation through technical and sociological intervention.

"The purpose is to focus on policy, management and governance issues and to get support to implement key strategies for conservation, preservation and optimum use of available water," he said.
Bharti said her ministry has formulated National Water Mission with the objectives of conservation of water, minimising wastage and ensuring that it is distributed equally both across and within states through integrated water resources development and management.