Latest news with #BhujalSuraksha
Time of India
16 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
NBT Conclave: Minister Swatantra Dev red flags water scarcity in UP, calls for conservation measures
1 2 Lucknow: Jal shakti minister Swatantra Dev Singh has raised an alarm over Uttar Pradesh's critical water situation, revealing that the state has sufficient water security for only three months annually. "Declining groundwater levels, shrinking water bodies and increasing dependence on over-extraction are pushing the state towards a serious water crisis. Even major rivers like the Rapti and Ganga, once considered perennial sources, are no longer dependable throughout the year," he said while speaking at 'Bhujal Suraksha, Bhavishya ki Raksha', organised jointly by Navbharat Times and UP groundwater department on Friday. Singh said while rivers like Chambal bring up to 20 lakh cusecs of water the Rapti barely carries 3,400 cusecs now. "In districts like Varanasi, we sometimes struggle to supply drinking water from the Ganga during the dry season," he added. He also pointed out the increasing risks from climate misalignments—when floods from Ganga and Ghaghara coincide, they create dangerous flood patterns; if they arrive out of sync, parts of the state face drought. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo "The delicate balance is now being disturbed by human actions and lack of planning," Singh said. The minister lamented that thousands of ponds and lakes, once the backbone of rural water conservation, have either been encroached upon or turned into drains. "Earlier, every village had a pond where animals and people bathed. Today, many of those ponds have been filled up or polluted beyond use," he said, urging the revival of these water bodies. He stressed the need to reduce everyday water wastage, especially of bottled water in weddings and public events. "If every person saves even a single bottle daily, the collective impact would be huge," he said, encouraging the use of refillable water bottles during travel. The govt, Singh said, is actively working on water budgeting and security plans and has launched projects in nearly 70% of the state's development blocks. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, groundwater is being tapped for household supply, but he warned this will not be sustainable without proper recharge and conservation. Technologies like drip irrigation, remote sensing and rainwater harvesting are being promoted, Singh said adding that public participation was the key. "Just as Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the Swachh Bharat Mission by setting an example, water conservation must also become a public movement," he said. Calling water, the foundation of life and civilisation, Singh said its protection is a scientific, ethical and social responsibility. "We need every citizen—farmers, students, teachers, engineers—to become water warriors," Singh said. He concluded by expressing confidence that under PM Narendra Modi's leadership, India would not become a victim of a global water crisis but emerge as a leader in sustainable water management. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
16 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
NBT Conclave: Lucknow must prioritise water reuse, say experts
1 2 Lucknow: City authorities must prioritise water reuse systems to reduce dependence on depleting groundwater reserves, experts said at the 'Bhujal Suraksha, Bhavishya Ki Raksha' event organised by Navbharat Times and the UP groundwater department on Friday. Former Lucknow municipal commissioner and current director of UP NEDA Inderjit Singh highlighted the city's advances in wastewater treatment. Lucknow generates 770–800 million litres of sewage daily, of which 120 MLD is treated at jal nigam's GH canal-based plant. Advanced technology brings BOD and COD levels below 10 and with tertiary treatment, the water is safe for reuse. This treated water can refill urban lakes like Butler Lake, can be used to clean roads, irrigate over 2,400 parks and support construction, Metro and fire services. "Using recycled water not only eases groundwater demand but also improves air quality by reducing dust," he said. He cited Kathauta Lake—now filled with treated canal water—as an example that reduced dependence on deep tubewells in Gomtinagar and Indiranagar. Ongoing desilting by Jalkal is expected to further enhance the lake's capacity. Singh warned that over-extraction pushed tube wells to depths beyond 200 metres in some areas—a trend that reuse initiatives can help reverse. LDA vice-chairman Prathmesh Kumar said rainwater harvesting is mandatory for buildings over 300 sq-mt and smaller colonies are being encouraged to adopt shared recharge structures. He also spoke of lake restoration projects—Butler Lake, Kalapahad Jheel and Udyan Lake—linking them with stormwater recharge in urban planning. Architect Anupam Mittal stressed reviving rooftop harvesting and traditional systems like wells. "The earth is a natural filter," he said, citing successful conservation efforts in Kanpur. WaterAid India's state programme director Smriti Singh said water use and reuse should be integrated at the project planning stage. She highlighted the role of women in water management and recommended recharging dug wells in chemically contaminated areas. Dibyajyoti Halder from CMS called schools "change agents" and advocated water audits and awareness campaigns involving students. In an earlier session, hydrogeologist R S Sinha of the groundwater action group said UP uses nearly 20 billion cubic litres of water annually for sugarcane farming. Extraction from deep layers brings harmful minerals, affecting crops and human health. He noted a 15% decline in rainfall and urged area-specific groundwater planning using current data. Yogesh Bandhu Arya, state coordinator of the 2030 water resources group, said 42% of UP's irrigation relies on canals. Under the Atal Bhujal Yojana, micro-irrigation campaigns will begin in 20 villages to promote efficient water use. Dr Asad Umar from Aga Khan Foundation India stressed the need for public awareness. Dr Venkatesh Dutta, head of environmental science at BBAU, said the monsoon period reduced from 18 to 12–15 days, causing runoff and poor recharge. Despite a 45,000-km river network, effective water management remains a challenge. In closing, Dr Asad called for decentralised groundwater governance through community participation. Dr Dutta urged reuse and nature-based water return. V K Upadhyay emphasised mass awareness. Arya highlighted that 80% of clean water goes to irrigation, which can be cut through micro-irrigation. Sinha concluded by citing how Kathauta lake now meets Gomtinagar and Indiranagar's water needs, replacing deep borewell dependence. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
NBT Conclave: High extraction, gap in water usage & recharge alarming, says Rajshekhar
1 2 Lucknow: Did you know that producing a litre of bottled water consumes over five and a half litres of water? In other words, while we drink one litre, more than five litres are lost in the process. This fact was shared by director of the UP ground water department, Raj Shekhar, at the 'Bhujal Suraksha, Bhavishya Ki Raksha' event, jointly organised by Navbharat Times and the UP ground water department on Friday to raise awareness about the growing water crisis. "Making just one leather belt or bag requires around 150 to 200 litres of water. Similarly, growing one kilogram of rice can consume anywhere from 1,500 to 5,000 litres of water," Rajshekhar added. The event highlighted the alarming imbalance between groundwater usage and recharge. "In some places, we are extracting 110% to 400% more than what is naturally recharged. This unsustainable water balance raises serious concerns for the future," he warned. Citing studies by the United Nations and NITI Aayog, he said that water consumption in India is rising rapidly, while groundwater replenishment remains inadequate. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cervecería Nacional CFD: Calcula cuánto podrías ganar invirtiendo solo $100 Empieza a invertir Inscríbete ahora Undo The problem is further aggravated by population growth, intensive water use in agriculture and industry, and unsustainable daily habits. However, there is hope. Shekhar shared success stories from parts of India where new technologies have helped reduce water usage by up to 75%. "Earlier, 100 litres were needed for certain tasks. Now, just 25 to 35 litres are enough," he said. Simple lifestyle changes—such as using water-saving taps, washing machines, and toilets—can also lead to significant water conservation, he added. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
