By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has called for an integrated and pragmatic approach is required to harness the vast water resources of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries for sustained economic development of the State and the region as a whole, while inaugurating the 2nd Assam Water Conference at Assam Water Research and Management Institute at Basistha in the city Thursday.
“An integrated approach is needed to harness the water resources and to make use of the precious resources in a judicious manner for the benefit of humanity,” said Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. The focal theme of this year’s conference is ‘Sustainable development of water resources in North East Region’.
Gogoi said the twin problems of flood and erosion have to be tackled in a scientific manner using latest technology and knowhow. “More than floods, erosion poses a serious problem. About 4 lakh hectare of land has been eroded away. While the pressure on land has been rising due to increasing population, vast tract of land has been eroded leaving many homeless. This is a serious matter and needs to be tackled by the scientists and experts,” said Gogoi, adding that the Government is planning to reclaim land in a big way to rehabilitate the displaced people.
The Chief Minister stressed on a coordinated effort with the neighbouring states and countries to tackle the menace of flood and erosion.
Gogoi underscored the need for harnessing water resources for judicious use in agriculture, irrigation, industries, power and other sectors. “We must not misuse or over exploit the precious water resources. It will wreak havoc on us. We must make use of it in a judicious manner to maintain an ecological balance,” he added.
The Chief Minister said development of the Brahmaputra as national waterway would ensure cheap and easy mode of transportation of passengers and goods.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Water Resources, Rajib Lochan Pegu said dam must be multipurpose with flood moderation component given due importance. The department has given a final shape to the formation of Brahmaputra River Valley Authority and has sought assistance from Government of India and World Bank.
Chairman, Central Water Commission AB Pandya, in his keynote address, said the vast water resources of the Brahmaputra have to be harnessed in a scientific manner using latest technology for the benefit of the people. Pandya called for an integrated approach to tackle the perennial flood and erosion problem. “A basket of measures has to be taken to tackle the flood situation in Assam. Proper land use planning, use of latest technology like geo-tube, common area development can help to tackle the problems of flood and erosion,” he said.
Chief Secretary, Jitesh Khosla, said new innovative ideas, knowledge and expertise have to be applied to tackle the pressing problems of water management in Assam and the North East region. “The two-day water conference aims at bringing about an integrated approach to water management through application of better technology,” he said.
Secretary, Water Resources, Haren Kakati delivered the welcome address.
Experts and scientists from different parts of the country and abroad are participating in the two-day water conference.
Earlier, Chief Minister Gogoi inaugurated a technical exhibition showcasing the latest technologies, developments and solutions available in the areas of water resources. Gogoi also released a souvenir brought out on the occasion.