Water is the Identity of Our Civilization and Development, Says Water Power Minister C.R. Patil

New Delhi, June 1: During the inauguration of a national workshop on research and development in the water sector, Water Power Minister C.R. Patil proposed a tripartite approach involving research, technological innovation, and public participation to strengthen the innovation ecosystem.

While inaugurating the workshop, Patil initiated discussions among 500 stakeholders from government, academia, research institutions, industry, small and medium enterprises, and startups to achieve water security and resilience against climate change.

The event was attended by Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Water Power Raj Bhushan Chaudhary, Secretary of the Space Department and ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan, CEO of ANRF, senior secretaries, scientists, experts, and representatives from various industries across the country.

Addressing the gathering, Patil emphasized that “water is the identity of our civilization and development.” He highlighted the need for a tripartite approach to tackle emerging water challenges through research, technological innovation, and public involvement.

He shed light on the ministry’s efforts to promote research and innovation, revealing that over 315 research and development projects have been initiated in the water sector, including 113 projects directly supported by the ministry.

The central minister also highlighted the success of the Water Conservation Public Participation (JSJB) campaign, which has led to the establishment of more than 15 million water conservation structures across the country.

He announced the launch of the Water Conservation Public Participation: Catch the Rain (JSJB:CTR) portal, a nationwide initiative aimed at strengthening community-based water conservation through the involvement of citizens, industries, NGOs, and government agencies.

Patil also stressed the role of geospatial technologies and partnerships in promoting scientific water management and the sustainability of water resources.

Jitendra Singh underscored the importance of a comprehensive government and national-level approach that includes the education sector, industry, small and medium enterprises, and startups to realize the vision of a developed India by 2047.