North-East Water Conclave, 2024

Kakali Das

Indian Chamber of Commerce has organized a summit, North-East Water Conclave on July 25, 2024, at Vivanta, Guwahati, Assam.

The event delved into the theme of Creating an efficient & sustainable water future for North-East India aiming to foster innovation and collaboration in the field of water and wastewater management.

Several policymakers participated in a brainstorming session at the Water Management Conclave organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Guwahati. The conclave centered on improving household water accessibility through the use of appropriate technology and fostering public-private partnerships.

Minister of State for Rural Development, Horticulture and Public Health Engineering, Government of Mizoram, Prof. Lalnilawma highlighted the challenges faced by the hilly state and govt’s efforts to address them.

“The situation in Mizoram is alarming as the rivers are drying up fast due to deforestation and pollution. The right approach now is integrated water management with proper use.”

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The minister emphasized that protection and rejuvenation, along with strong policy and governance, are crucial for water conservation. He stated that community engagement is essential to achieve this goal. He further added, “Without water development, community development cannot be achieved.”

The importance of ‘convergence’ and ‘public participation’ in water conservation was highlighted. The professor noted that while environmental awareness is crucial, the action component is still lacking.

“We can no longer dive and swim in the rivers due to rocks, stones, and reduced water levels,” the professor remarked. He urged stakeholders to collaborate on technical support and mobilize funds, particularly through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), to address these challenges and achieve a sustainable water future for the northeastern region of India.

Assam’s Housing and Urban Affairs Minister, Ashok Singhal discussed various initiatives undertaken by the state government to address the water crisis in different cities and towns.

“Assam is blessed with abundant water resources. Water can easily be supplied with proper technology and public private initiatives. The people of the northeast have the highest per capita water resources in the country. But we face some problems in the dry season.”

“We must introspect whether we are failing as a human race and society by depositing less and withdrawing more,” the Minister said. He questioned society’s responsibility if we waste water for luxury and urged people not to waste fresh water on cleaning vehicles, floors, and other non-essential uses.

“Policy intervention is necessary—any policy implemented relies on the participation of the common people. Without this involvement, these agendas cannot succeed,” said Ashok Singhal.

The Chairman, ICC, Assam and Meghalaya state council, Shri Sarat Kumar Jain said, “All ancient civilizations grew around sustainable water resources, which helped them to survive and thrive. Water is crucial for food security, trade and transportation, industrialization and ecological balance. World Bank data shows that almost 50% of the developing world’s population, which accounts for 2.5 billion people, lack improved sanitation facilities and almost 1 billion people still use unsafe drinking water sources.”

Kailash Karthik N (IAS), Secretary of PHED and Mission Director of the Jal Jeevan Mission, Govt. of Assam, explained why Assam needs a 24/7 drinking water supply rather than an intermittent one. He noted several factors: first, intermittent supply puts pressure on the pipes, while 24/7 supply avoids this issue.

Additionally, intermittent supply carries a higher risk of water contamination, unlike continuous supply. Secondly, a 24/7 distribution system reduces unnecessary stress and is more efficient for the government in terms of water purification and storage.

The Secretary further discussed the feasibility of a 24/7 water supply and mentioned the ‘Drink From Tap’ mission in Puri, which was the first city in India to achieve continuous quality drinking water supply. He noted that this model has given them hope of achieving the same in Assam.

Regarding operational sustainability, he stated that the entire pipe water supply system must be automated and should accurately measure and record the water produced. Additionally, issues such as 10-20% water leakage, 10-20% water theft, and significant unethical usage of water have hindered water supply and conservation efforts.

Balswar Thakur, Chief Engineer of the National Water Development Agency, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, discussed the 8th India Water Week 2024, which the Ministry of Jal Shakti is organizing from September 17-21, 2024, in New Delhi.

The theme for IWW-2024 is “Partnerships and Cooperation for Inclusive Water Development and Management.” The primary objective of the exhibition is to provide a platform for various stakeholders in the water sector, including policymakers, water managers, professionals, academics, and user groups from different sections of society.

G. Ashok Kumar, former Director General of the National Mission for Clean Ganga, Government of India, expressed his disappointment that there were no dedicated discussion tables on water at the UNFCCC COP28 for climate change. Despite its critical role in climate change, water has not received adequate attention in these global conferences.

(Kakali Das, Assistant Editor, Mahabahu was a delegate in the summit.)

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