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Saturday, Dec 29, 2007
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Stamp released on ‘Water Year’

Special Correspondent

Concern over growing water conflicts

NEW DELHI: To commemorate the Water Year, Union Minister of Communications and Information Technology A. Raja on Friday released a postage stamp on water, in the presence of Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz. The Rs.5 denomination stamp is the first-ever stamp released for the Water Resources Ministry.

Mr. Soz said the over-exploitation of groundwater resources had led to lowering of the water level in some pockets. In this connection, the Ministry had circulated a Model Bill to the State governments for enacting a legislation for conservation and recharge of groundwater.

“With the judicious use and effective management of water resources, we can overcome the vagaries of nature to a great extent,” he said.

He said the government was making efforts so that water was not only conserved but also supplied to the needy. Schemes had been taken up for conservation and management of water resources and creating awareness. The declaration of Water Year was a step in this direction.

Water balance

Mr. Raja expressed concern over the growing water conflicts between cities and farmers, industry and villages, farmers and the environment.

“Such a scenario has created a need for a multi-institutional approach for creating a water balance in the country.’”

He hoped that the stamp would carry the message of conserving, harvesting and harmonising the use of water.

The Secretary, Water Resources, Gauri Chatterjee, felt the stamp would create an awareness among the masses on the proper use of water resources. Additional Secretary S. Manoharan said the water resource management system required immediate attention.

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