Question : WATEC Conference

(a) whether the Government participated in the Water Technology and Environment Control (WATEC) conference held in Israel and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the conference was mandated to get updates on technologies related to water and environmental management and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the conference is likely to help India to overcome depleting groundwater resources and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has collaborated with Israel which is considered to be leader in terms of water management and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the other steps taken by the Government to use technologies to conserve water and replicate?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI & SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

(SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA)

(a) to (e) A three member delegation from Government of India led by Hon’ble Minister (Jal Shakti), participated in Water Technology and Environment Control (WATEC) 2019 event in Tel-Aviv, Israel on 19th November 2019. Besides, there were also delegations from Andhra Pradesh (Ministerial-level), Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Karnataka. WAPCOS, a Public Sector Undertaking under Ministry of Jal Shakti, along with business delegations from Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and South India Chamber of Commerce and Industries (SICCI) also participated in the event. WATEC 2019, an international conference and exhibition, had a mandate to update the participants (policy and decision makers, industry leaders, business executives, investors and researchers from around the world) on latest innovations and technologies related to water and environmental management.

Contd…P/2

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During WATEC 2019, extensive discussions were held on wide range of issues in the water sector covering both agriculture and drinking water, Israel’s unique water management system involving desalination and reuse of waste water. A Memorandum of Understanding between India and Israel on Water Resources Management and Development Cooperation was signed on 11.11.2016 to enhance cooperation at the national, regional and international levels by collaborating in the areas mutually agreed upon, including techniques in the efficient use of water resources, recycling/re-use of waste water, desalination, aquifer recharge and in-situ water conservation techniques, and water resource management.

Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) is implementing a nationwide programme of “National Aquifer Mapping and Management (NAQUIM)” for mapping of aquifers (Water bearing formations), their characterization and development of aquifer management plans to facilitate sustainable development of ground water resources. Aquifer maps and management plans have been shared with the respective State Government agencies for taking suitable interventions.

Various technologies commonly used for rain water harvesting have been described in the “Manual on Artificial Recharge of Ground Water” available in public domain in the following URL: http://cgwb.gov.in/documents/Manual-Artificial-Recharge.pdf and also in “Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water in India”, in http://cgwb.gov.in/documents/masterplan-2013.pdf.

Further objectives of onging Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) include enhance the adoption of precision-irrigation and other water saving technologies, improve on-farm water use efficiency to reduce wastage, integration of water source, distribution and its efficient use to make best use of water through appropriate technologies and practices, etc.

Water being a State subject, initiatives on water management including conservation and artificial recharge to ground water in the Country is primarily States’ responsibility. The important measures taken by the Central Government for conservation of water in the country are at the following URL: http://mowr.gov.in/sites/default/files/Steps_to_control_water_depletion_Jun2019.pdf


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