Make efforts to conserve water, Modi tells people

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday pitched for water conservation efforts in the coming monsoon so as to avert water shortages faced this time around in different parts of the country.

"Can we have a water conservation campaign in village after village this time? People should clean their ponds this year to enhance their storage capacity and farmers may use the pond soil as top layer in their fields. This will help their crops too," he said in the 19th edition of his 'Mann Ki Baat' address broadcast by All India Radio.

"Ever since the information that there will be more than normal monsoon this year, people have been excited as the news has brought peace and joy for everyone. Our people must use the opportunity to conserve maximum water this season," Modi said.

He also appreciated the Indian Railways and the common man in battling the drought-like situation in parts of the country.

"The railways was swift in sending water to Latur (in Maharashtra). It is very commendable. But there are many water conservation initiatives taken by common people across the country which never receive due recognition," the prime minister said.

Modi gave the example of Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra where farmers have stopped producing crops which require substantive quantities of water.

"The farmers have decided not to produce sugarcane. They have switched to fruit and vegetables which require less water," the prime minister added.

Modi asked the people to take inspiration from villages in Porbandar area of Gujarat where people preserved rainwater in underground tanks in their houses.

--IANS

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