Need of the hour is to conserve water & stop its wastage: CM

Kolkata: The state government will observe July 12 every year as "Save Water Day", according to a tweet uploaded by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on social media on Saturday.

A rally titled "Save Water Save Life" will be organised on July 12 at 3 pm from Jorasanko to Gandhi Statue in which Banerjee will also take part. The state government has urged the NGOs, clubs, various organisations and students to participate in the procession.

In the tweet, Banerjee expressed concern over the sharp fall in the groundwater level and global warming.

She tweeted: "Due to extreme depletion of groundwater and inadequate availability of surface water several states like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Gujarat are reeling under severe water scarcity. Finally water to drink has become a huge challenge in many places. In West Bengal a review was done and it was found that groundwater level was a point of concern in some blocks."

The state government is doing constant monitoring and three lakh water bodies have been dug under the flagship project "Jal Dharo, Jal Bharo". Around 500 check dams have been constructed and 41,000 acres of land have been brought under irrigation in water scarce areas of Jangalmahal and saline areas of the Sunderbans under the "Jal Tirtha" programme.

She further mentioned: "The need of the hour is to conserve water and stop its wastage and misuse. Also finding ways to develop and adopt highly sustainable water use systems and policies."

It may be mentioned that Mayor Firhad Hakim has proposed to introduce rainwater harvesting in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) area. He has urged people not to waste water. The KMC will install meters to find out the usage of water.

Steps have been taken to stop wastage of water through leaks that have come up on the KMC water supply line. The KMC is planning to set up a separate zone to wash cars with unfiltered water.

It may be mentioned that there used to be a pumping station to lift unfiltered water at Mallickghat off Burrabazar, which is almost defunct now. The unfiltered water was used to clean roads and for washing purposes.

Every household had tanks to keep unfiltered water.

In New Town, awareness campaigns to conserve water will be held on July 12.

The New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) conserves 30 gallons of filtered water every day by recycling wastewater which is used to water roadside trees and gardens.