Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Jun 19: "We are in a phase in which we have to think seriously about water conservation. Year by year we have observed that rainfall has been dwindling and it indicates a major shift in the behaviour of our environment. Global warming has been threatening our future, and we have no other option but to live in harmony with nature and protect this earth from pollution and hazardous things to the extent we can." said U T Khader, Dakshina Kannada district In-charge minister.

He was speaking after inaugurating a programme on rainwater harvesting titled 'Jala Sakshara' jointly organized by 'Udayavani' publication and zilla panchayat, Dakshina Kannada.

"Water scarcity has been posing a major threat to us now-a-days and it indicates that future holds out multifarious challenges to us. Wherever water is available in sufficient quantities, people tend to misuse it. No one bothers about conservation of water. Now the shortage of rain has compelled us think about water conservation and rainwater harvesting. It is time to get ourselves educated about rainwater harvesting and conservation of water," he stated.

"Along with following the principles of progressive journalism, 'Udayavani' Kannada daily is known for its various awareness initiatives and social service events. Being aware of the water scarcity in city and the district as a whole, the management of 'Udayavani' has organized this programme and the message this event conveys should reach everyone. I congratulate the organizers for the meaningful event," he said.

Wishing the event well, Vedavyas Kamath, MLA Mangaluru South, said, "With the slogan of 'every drop of water is precious', Udayavani and Zilla panchayat have organized a meaningful event. Our neighbouring states have already implemented various programmes and projects on rainwater harvesting and they have begun to get result of this initiative. The people of Karnataka are far behind in this aspect and we, the citizens of Dakshina Kannada, have not yet taken the water conservation issue with the seriousness it deserves. It is time to cogitate seriously about water conservation because we already are facing shortage of rainfall

“We hope government will come out with new schemes on this issue and people will support them. There are various methods to save and conserve water. If administration makes the water conservation compulsory at the time of construction and in the case of major development projects, automatically underground water table will rise in our district and state. By organising this event, 'Udayavani' has given us a good start for spreading awareness on water conservation and rainwater harvesting. Hope this awareness will reach to each person of the district."

Suresh Puduvettu, Udayavani bureau chief here, welcomed the dignitaries and the gathering. Senior journalist, Manohar Prasad, compered the event.

After the inaugural programme Shri Padre, Internationally known rain water harvesting specialist, gave a class on rain water harvesting along with demonstration.

Sasikanth Senthil, Deputy Commissioner, Meenakshi Shanthigode, president, ZP, Kasturi Panja, vice president, ZP, Dr Selvamani, CEO , ZP, Naveen Cardoza, president , CREDAI, U K Monu, president, paluk panchayat , Vinod Kumar , CEO, Udayavani, Aravind , Chief Editor , Udayavani were present on the dais.