Harish Rawat requests States, UT's to establish State Water Missions

Union Water Resources Minister Harish Rawat on Tuesday requested cooperation of State Government and Union Territory Administrations in his Ministry's efforts to promote integrated Water Resources, conservation, management and development as mandated in the Objectives of National Water Mission (NWM).

In a letter written to all State Chief Ministers and Union Territory Administrations, he has requested them to consider establishing a State Water Mission under the Chief Secretary/Development Commissioner of their respective State, for the successful implementation of NWM objectives.

He also urged them to consider aligning the programmes and schemes of their state in the water sector with the objectives of NWM.

Rawat pointed out that a nodal agency at the state level will go a long way in spearheading the mission in each state within a reasonable time frame.

In his letter, Rawat also informed them of the launch of National Water Mission (NWM) as part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) formulated by the Prime Minster's Council on Climate Change.

He stated that the objective of NWM is "Conservation of Water, minimizing wastage and ensuring its more equitable distribution both across and within states through integrated water resources development and management.

He further said that achieving the goals of National Water Mission involves a co-ordinated multi-disciplinary approach involving several key departments of the state government.