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Lucknow, 09 August (HS). Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh participated as the chief guest in a one-day workshop on Clean Water Clean India. The Chief Secretary said that water is very important for all of us. Groundwater is used the most in agriculture. 10 percent of the world's, 45 percent in India and 75 percent of groundwater in Uttar Pradesh is used in agriculture. Uttar Pradesh works as a powerhouse in the agricultural sector. In the last few years, due to the increase in paddy acreage in the state, groundwater exploitation has increased further.
He focused on the need to convert data into action to promote efficient use of water and reuse of water. He said that farmers have to be made aware of water conservation and they have to be told about the latest technology. Giving the example of Israel, he said that Israel receives 300 ml rainfall and there is a huge shortage of water there. Farming there is done in greenhouses and sheds. During farming, fresh and salty water is used in a mixed form. Developed countries are conscious about water.
He said that providing clean water to the common man is the top priority of the government. By creating a world class project in Agra, water is being treated and supplied. Digitalization can play a major role in bringing about a radical change in drinking water operations at the urban level. He hoped that this workshop will help in managing water resources efficiently and sustainably through the utility of digitalization and data collection of urban water management.
Principal Secretary Urban Development Amrit Abhijat emphasized the urgent need for innovative and sustainable water management practices in urban areas. He said that with the growing urban population, challenges regarding drinking water are also increasing. Swachh Bharat Mission focused on sanitation and AMRUT 2.0 is now focusing on improving water supply coverage and water use efficiency. The capacity of urban local bodies to meet the demands of the growing population is limited, hence technology interventions can play a major role in bridging this gap and assist local bodies in effective monitoring and efficient service delivery at the local level.
On this occasion, Director, Urban Local Bodies Anuj Kumar Jha, General Manager-Water R.P. Singh and Additional Director of Regional Centre for Urban and Environmental Studies (RCUES), Lucknow A.K. Gupta along with other senior officials were present.