[Reader-list] "National Ground Water Congress" - our governments 9/11- Message from Manoj Misra

[Ratish Nanda]

Dear friends,

Those of you who might have missed the news / advt in this morning's
910.9.07) news papers, the Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India
is organising a day long 'National Ground Water Congress' on 11.9.2007 in
Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The Congress to be inaugurated by the Hon'ble PM
and closed through a valedictory address by Hon'ble President of India with
a theme of 'Towards Sustainability of Ground Water Resources' has following
as its objectives:

a) Developing strategies for sustainable and equitable use of ground water
b) Promoting water literacy
c) Evaluating the role of ground water in National food and water security
d) Promoting more crop and income per drop of water

While such a Congress in Delhi is timely and welcome in the light of 2007
being the 'Water Year', it's irony and hollow-ness cannot be lost sight of
when one is trying to discuss ground water issues in a city who's ground
water security in form of its river flood plains is under relentless
pressures and threats by activities promoted by the state agencies
themselves.

In addition a close scrutiny of the objectives of the said Congress as
enunciated above reveals a complete bankcruptcy of thought and action by the
state when they are busy trying to develope use-focussed strategies with no
emphasis on first protecting and conserving the sources of ground water
recharge in particular the river flood plains which are the most economic
and natural means of ground water recharge on an annual basis.

It is fortunate that Sri Rajendra Singh is one of the key speakers at
tomorrow's event and who would hence have an opportunity to raise this
fundamental question to the organisers and audience in the Congress.

In addition it is proposed to raise the matter through a peaceful and mute
sit in just outside the Vigyan Bhawan tomorrow by few Yamuna
satygrahis carrying appropriate posters and banners.

manoj

-- 
www.yamunajiyeabhiyaan.blogspot.com


-- 
Ratish Nanda
Conservation Architect
1559, Sector B, Pocket 1
Vasant Kunj
New Delhi 110070
INDIA