The Hindu 11.12.2009
Multi-disciplinary approach needed to manage water
Special Correspondent
| Workshop on water problems begins in Udhagamandalam |
Photo: M. Sathyamoorthy 
The secretary, Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, R. Vijayakumar, inaugurates a seminar on Water Management in Udhagamandalam on Thursday. –
Udhagamandalam: A two-day workshop on ‘Emerging Issues in Water Management for Sustainable Agriculture in South Asia Region,’ organised jointly by the Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute (CSWCRTI) and the Michigan State University, the U.S., got underway here on Thursday.
Inaugurating the workshop, the secretary, Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, R. Vijayakumar, stressed the need to adopt a multi-disciplinary approach in water management.
Lamenting that decision making tended to be fragmented, he said that various disciplines should be brought together. Strategies based on good data should be worked out. In the context of climate change, people should anticipate and adapt, he said and added that research and action plans should go hand in hand.
Referring to the recent floods and landslips that occurred here, he said that there should be a proper balance between water retention and run-off. Stating that in Tamil Nadu micro-irrigation was being systematically promoted, Mr. Vijayakumar said that efforts were also on to promote precision agriculture.
The Director, Institute of Water Research, Michigan State University, the U.S., Jon Bartholic, said that while population was increasing the water resources were limited.
Hence ways to ensure better use of water should be evolved.
The Director, International Water Management Institute-TATA Policy Research Programme, Hyderabad, K. Palanisami, said that ground water was over exploited in Punjab and southern parts of India.
Due to climate change the water requirement of crops like maize, groundnut and cotton will go up in course of time. Stating that the benefits of all research should reach the common man, he said that technology transfer should be farmer-friendly and participatory.
Challenges should be converted into opportunities. Rain water harvesting should be encouraged.
The Director, Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute, Dehradun, V.N. Sharda, who presided over the function said that water was rapidly becoming a scarce commodity and referred to the apprehension that water shortage will trigger the next World War.
Global level
Water management should be discussed at the globa level. He pointed out that agriculture was taking the lion’s share of the available water and emphasised the need to bring into being better application methods.
The Principal Scientist and Head, CSWCRTI, O.P.S. Khola, welcomed the gathering.
Professor, Michigan State University, Karim M.Maredia, spoke.
The Coordinator of the workshop, D.V. Singh, proposed a vote of thanks.
