Lockdown leads to cleaner water bodies; minister says time to 'introspect'

'"Since agriculture, which uses nearly 89 per cent of water,is also a state subject, the governments will have to consider what to grow, how much to grow and for whom to grow," the minister added

India must work to become a water-secure nation, taking note of rivers and streams becoming cleaner during the national lockdown to contain the coronavirus, said Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Friday.

Air and water pollution has reduced because most industries and offices were shut and people stayed home for almost two months, said Shekhawat, who is in charge of the Jal Shakti Ministry.

"During the lockdown period, everyone noticed that the rivers have become cleaner.There are three reasons for water pollution -- sewage, industrial