The water conservation conference 'Jal Manthan' will become an annual feature, Union Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Uma Bharti announced here today.
During her valedictory speech on the concluding second day of 'Jal Manthan 2', Bharti said the Government will "closely monitor" all 46 projects under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), aimed at improving farm productivity.
"Union Minister Uma Bharti announced that Jal Manthan convention will become an annual feature," the Ministry said in a statement.
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Bharti also said that the issues which could not be touched upon during the second edition of the convention will be taken up in 'India Water Week' to be held in April this year.
The Minister also underlined the need for a large-scale people's participation and co-operation of NGOs in various important schemes such as the PMKSY and inter-linking of rivers.
Brijmohan Agrawal, Water Resources Minister of Chhattisgarh, underscored the need for giving more stress on micro irrigation projects in the country.
Agrawal also favoured micro irrigation projects over large ones keeping in mind dearth of land for constructing new canals.
The two day conference with the theme 'Integrated Approach for Sustainable Water Management' had consultations and discussions on river basin approach for sustainable development, groundwater, water security, principles of allocation of water, innovation in water governance, water management, coordination between centre and states, water conservation and need for a national legislation on water.
Irrigation Ministers from UP, Telangana and Sikkim, eminent experts in water sector, representatives of NGOs and senior officers of Centre and state governments attended the event.
