Mumbai: The increasing awareness about the environment makes Environment Day — celebrated on June 5 each year — extremely significant. And while the world’s attention is currently focussed on air pollution, in India it is water. The prediction of a poor monsoon has sharpened the focus on this vital source of all life and environment. That is why The Free Press Journal (FPJ) decided to discuss this issue with experts.
In a closed-door discussion titled ‘Harnessing life through water-drops’, nine panellists will offer their views on water. There will be views on drinking water. Replenishment of water through water harvesting and other methods, and management of waste and effluents which contaminate even existing pools of good water. The session will be moderated by RN Bhaskar, consulting editor. The panellists for the discussion will be (in alphabetic order):
Uma Aslekar, senior scientist, Advance Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (ACWADAM);
K P Bakshi, Chairman, Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority;
Madhav Bhandari, Chief Spokesperson, Bhartiya Janata Party, Maharashtra State unit;
Aditya Bhujle, Director, Sunrise Consultech;
Ya’akov Finkelstein, Consul General of Israel in Mumbai;
Nimrod Kalmar, Deputy Consul General of Israel, Mumbai;
K V Rao, Chief General Manager, Nabard;
Brajesh Singh Tomar, Deputy General Manager, Ambuja Cement Foundation; and
Divyang Waghela, head, TATA Water Mission (TATA Trusts).
FPJ feels such discussions are sorely needed to tweak policies better and reduce the suffering caused by droughts and the depletion of water bodies.