Need to conserve indigenous knowledge about water: CM
Bhopal: Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has stressed the need to preserve old water structures apart from constructing new ones. Indigenous knowledge about water needs to be preserved. Common people should be associated with water structures’ preservation. Shri Chouhan was addressing inaugural session of international conference under Jheel Mahotsav here today.
The Chief Minister said that society should stand shoulder-by-shoulder with government to preserve lakes, stepwells and wells. Creation of new water structures is also necessary apart from conserving old ones. Directives have been given to remove encroachments from lakes and other water structures. A project is underway to link lakes with rivers in Bundelkhand. Due to lack of awareness, sense of attachment with lakes has been eroded. Water has been regarded as deity in Indian culture. Water is symbol of purity. Life cannot be imagined without water. Civilizations have thrived on river banks. Our water structures have been affected by increasing population and urbanization. Society and common people will have to be made aware about water structures.
Urban Administration, Housing and Environment Minister Shri Kailash Vijayvargiya said that water structures are connected with our culture and traditions. It is a major challenge before society that water structures are losing their identity. Their preservation is duty of all. Water, forests and land are foundations of life. Chief Secretary Shri Anthony de Sa said that lakes and water structures maintain environmental balance. They are centres of bio-diversity and micro organisms. EPCO is undertaking preservation of 150 lakes in the state. The welcome address was delivered by Additional Chief Secretary Shri M.M. Upadhyay. Japanese environment specialist Dr. Nakamora, Dr. Khosla, representatives from India and abroad are participating in the conference held by Housing & Environment Department. Principal Secretary Urban Administration Shri S.N. Mishra proposed a vote of thanks at inaugural session.
