New Delhi, Oct 22: President Droupadi Murmu expressed deep concern over the declining quality and quantity of groundwater, emphasizing the importance of collective responsibility in preserving water resources. While conferring the National Water Awards on Tuesday, she remarked, “Groundwater is not only getting polluted but also depleting. This is a serious concern,” warning that without concerted conservation efforts, societal progress is unattainable.
Murmu highlighted that all major civilizations have historically thrived around water bodies, yet in modern times, the significance of water is often overlooked. “We at times forget the importance of water,” she stated, urging everyone to recognize its vital role.
The president also underscored the critical role of state governments in effective water management. She praised the Ministry of Jal Shakti and its minister, C R Patil, for their dedication to water conservation initiatives.
During the ceremony, she lauded the winners of the National Water Awards for their exemplary efforts and encouraged them to share their best practices widely. The awards, organized by the Department of Water Resources under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, recognized outstanding contributions across nine categories. Odisha was awarded the title of Best State, followed by Uttar Pradesh in second place, while Gujarat and Puducherry shared third place.
Initiated in 2018, the National Water Awards aim to promote water conservation in alignment with the government’s vision of a ‘Jal Samridh Bharat’ (water-sufficient India).
