New Delhi (NVI): As the country is grappling with an acute water crisis, the Centre today has signed Memorandum of Understanding between India and on groundwater replenishment training, education and research.
“The Ground Water crisis is not country-specific, rather it is a global issue,” Union Minister of Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said adding, “We have 65% dependency on Ground Water, and this is ever-increasing.”
He added the issue is critical since future generations will be affected by it.
The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has signed MoU with Managing Aquifer Recharge and Sustaining Groundwater Use through Village-level Intervention partners of Australia here today at the event.
Speaking at the event, MoS Jal Shakti Rattan Lal Kataria informed that a proposal to create a cadre of “Jal Doot” is under consideration of the government.
“Groundwater has been most exploited since it is cheap and accessible”, he added.
Meanwhile addressing the gathering, the Secretary of Department of Water Resources UP Singh said, “The water crisis has been the focus of attention for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
“He had raised the issue in Mann ki Baat and also highlighted the issue in his Independence Day address,” he added.
The Education Minister of Australia, Dan Tehan and Australian High Commissioner to India, Iven Mackay were also present during the event.
-sb
