National fund to promote water conservation technologies:Hooda

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today suggested formation of a national fund to promote sustainable measures for natural streams and use of water conservation technologies.
Speaking on the occasion of inauguration of the Centre of Excellence of Central Board of Irrigation and Power (CBIP), Hooda laid stress on adopting scientific approach for water conservation.
"Like energy efficient buildings, we should think of constructing water efficient buildings and water efficient industries," Hooda said while emphasising on the need to strike a balance between competitive use of water and environmental concerns.
"The aim of water conservation will remain a distant dream unless we adopt modern irrigation methods like drip and sprinkler techniques and form of a national fund to promote sustainable measures for natural streams," he said.

In Haryana, there is need of 36 million acre feet of water whereas only 14 million acre feet is available, he noted.
In addition, 40 percent of the ground water is brackish. Despite this, efforts have been made for making optimum use of water and Haryana today is one of the leading contributors to national food basket, he said.
Observing that the CBIP Centre of Excellence will benefit Haryana, the Chief Minister added, the facility will be utilised for skill development of professionals working in irrigation and power sector.