The Hindu Business Line : Call to change outlook on water

THERE is an urgent need to completely change the way we think about water, said Mr Ramaswamy R. Iyer, former Secretary, Water Resources, Government of India.

Mr Iyer, who is scheduled to address a technical session of `Prithvi 2005' — the global eco meet that is currently on in the city — on February 22 told journalists that he does not believe that `water wars' are possible.

However, the growing demand for water coupled with the tremendous wastage of India's water resources will force the country to re-examine its attitude towards water, he added. For instance, agriculture is one of the largest consumers of water, but is also the least efficient when it comes to using water, he pointed out.

Similarly, Mr V. Suresh, former Chairman and Managing Director, Housing and Urban Development Corporation Ltd who is scheduled to speak on sustainable habitats during the technical session on eco-friendly habitat said that housing and human settlement is becoming a vital issue for India where millions of people do not have proper housing.

In light of the recent tsunami, a session of the conference on sustainable land use and waste management will be devoted to managing natural disasters, he added.

Dr Suman Sahai, convenor of the New Delhi-based Gene Campaign, who was also present on the occasion, said that India is the only country in the world that has a farmers' rights legislation. Yet, there are efforts to get rid of this important legislation, she said. This is something that must be debated, she added.

Mr Suresh, who is also the chairman of the programme committee of `Prithvi 2005,' said that the response to the event has been extremely good.

Over 2,500 delegates have registered for the various seminars and workshops that are being organised as part of the event, he said.

Similarly, 380 exhibitors have registered for the exhibition of eco-friendly products and technologies that is being organised as part of the meet, he added.

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