N'tnl convention on 'Rejuvenation of Krishna River' on May 22

Experts in water conservation from across the country will deliberate on ways to rejuvenate the Krishnariver at the maiden national convention of the Indian Water Council (IWC) here on May 22.

The 'National Convention on Rejuvenation of the Krishna River', IWC's first event, will see participation of over 300 delegates of government organisations from various states and NGOs, including Rajendra Singh, known as 'Waterman of India', Telangana Water Resources Development Corporation Chairman V Prakash Rao told reporters here.

The Indian Water Council was formed last month in Rajasthan.

Rao said the state government has started an initiative to rejuvenate the river by involving government organisations from Krishna river basin states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana and several NGOs.

"There are plans to take up several works in the next 10 years to rejuvenate the river and the convention is the first step towards this," he said.

Delegates would deliberate on various issues and chalk out an action plan to take the matter forward, he said.

Among focus areas for discussions would be arresting flow of pollutants into the river, creating awareness among farmers to avoid taking up paddy crop, besides issues of over extraction and encroachments, Prakash said.

"There are plans for afforestation and to set up committees in villages to create awareness among people and farmers on ways to recharge ground water along Krishna and do all this by involvingdifferent organisations, including NGOs like Indian Water Council, Walk for Water, Jal Biradari," he added.

Telangana Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao will address the inaugural session, while state IT and Industries Minister K T Rama Rao will speak at the concluding session.

Prakash said efforts are on to apply for membership of the World Water Council. Once it was done, Telangana would be the first state in India to become its member, he said.