Water conservation, environmental protection and sustainable use of natural resources should be collective priorities so that future generations have a secure tomorrow, Bengaluru Rural MP Dr C.N. Manjunath said here on Wednesday.
Speaking at the foundation laying ceremony of Raghava Sarovara project organised by the Raghava Sarovara Foundation in Mantralayam, Dr Manjunath said: “Water resources need to be protected and ecological balance maintained when industrialisation and urbanisation are increasing”.
He said air, water, land and noise pollution were increasing and warned that environmental degradation could pose serious problems for future generations. Conserving natural resources and ensuring adequate availability of water are responsibilities everyone must share, he added.
Water Is the Real White Gold
Water security is becoming increasingly important so Dr Manjunath said water was the real white gold.
He said that even though the Tungabhadra River is there, several villages in the surrounding area are still facing drinking water shortages. “Just because water sources exist does not mean people will get safe drinking water,” he said. Management and conservation are equally important.
He also warned that water scarcity could become a major cause of global conflicts in the future if enough steps are not taken to protect and manage the available resources.
Rainwater harvesting, restoration of lakes and recharge of groundwater need to be given more attention, Dr Manjunath said. “This is how water availability can be improved and pressure on natural resources reduced.”
Rainwater Harvesting and Lake Restoration Needed
The MP also stressed the role of rainwater harvesting in tackling Bengaluru’s urban flooding and water-management problems.
Rainwater runs down the road instead of into lakes and other storage systems during heavy rain. Most of it eventually ends up in sewage drains where there’s no opportunity to store it for later use.
He said rainwater harvesting, lake conservation, and restoration of natural water bodies should be promoted to improve water security.
Madhava Dandakaranya was once known as the forest region of Andhra Pradesh, but it also needs sustained efforts to bring back its green cover. Trees need to be planted and natural resources protected so that the local environment can be strengthened, he said.
Dr Manjunath also said that areas with excessive rainfall could benefit from projects to store floodwater for use during dry spells — this might be particularly useful in regions where water shortages recur frequently.
Actor Madan Patil Contributes ₹25 Lakh
The MP praised actor-producer Madan Patil for giving ₹25 lakh towards the Raghava Sarovara project.
Dr Manjunath said Patil’s contribution showed that action for environmental protection was more important than words. He said it was a gesture of compassion, social commitment and concern for nature.
He also reminded us that there are natural resources we need (oxygen, air, and water) which people only start to appreciate when they become hard to get at (he said). People don’t realise how valuable they are until access to them becomes difficult.
Dr Manjunath also praised Ravindra, the environmentalist, for his work to change barren land into plantations and water bodies.
Project to Support Water Availability and Groundwater Recharge
The major components of the Raghava Sarovara initiative were described by Chief Engineering Consultant Ranganath. The project covers nearly 50 acres and aims to conserve water and recharge groundwater.
He welcomed HAL’s support as a sponsor of the initiative.
Dr Manjunath hoped that the Raghava Sarovara project would be completed successfully and help improve drinking water availability, recharge groundwater and protect the environment in surrounding areas.
The initiative shows how community involvement is needed to conserve water — with natural resources under pressure from increasing demands, projects that restore lakes, harvest rainwater, plant trees and recharge groundwater can help build long-term water security.
Comments