National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) in association with the APAC News Network organized the 9th edition of the monthly webinar series ‘Igniting Young Minds, Rejuvenating Rivers’. The theme of the 9th edition was ‘Rainwater Harvesting’. The session was presided by Shri G. Asok Kumar, Director General, and NMCG. The panelists of the webinar included Dr Bhanu Pratap Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Maharishi University of Information Technology, Lucknow; Dr Venkatraman Chintamani Reddy, Vice-Chancellor, KK University, Bihar; Dr Rajesh Nathan, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Himalayan University, Dehradun; Dr Manual Jain, Associate Dean Academics, Tirthankara Mahaveer University, Moradabad and Shri Ram veer Tan war, the Pond Man of India and an Expert on Rainwater Harvesting. Highlighting the sheer need to ignite young minds about the significance of rainwater harvesting, Shri G. Asok Kumar had stated that the tradition of respecting water should be revived in our consciousness. Recalling the ‘Catch the Rain’ campaign, with tagline ‘Catch the Rain’, where it falls, when it falls’, implemented by himself, as the Managing Director, National Water Mission, Shri Kumar mentioned that the programmed was launched by the Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, on the occasion of World Water Day on 22nd March 2021 in the virtual presence of over a crore people and that included sarpanches from all over the country. This, was perhaps the world’s largest launch of any water conservation campaign. Shri Kumar further added that over 47 lakh rainwater harvesting structures were constructed in the country and several ponds were identified and revived. Around 500 Jal Kendra’s were also established as part of the campaign. The stakeholders were nudged to create appropriate rainwater harvesting structures that were suitable to the climatic conditions and subsoil strata before monsoon. Mentioning about the integrated concept of conserving rainwater and preserving heritage, Shri Kumar talked about the traditional water harvesting structures, this included stepwells. Shri Kumar further added that stepwells are excellent pieces of architecture and must be preserved for ensuring a sustainable future for all of us. He further stated that not merely the construction, but also maintenance of rainwater harvesting structures is of utmost importance. He also emphasized that for the successful implementation of the Namami Gange Mission, there’s a need to make the Jal Angolan into a Jan Angolan. He
Also mentioned that there is an urgent need for the younger generation to take up the mantle of water conservation and appealed to leading educators to ensure that not a single drop
Of water goes away from their campuses. Sharing his insights on challenges and solutions with regards rainwater harvesting, Shri Ram veer Tan veer, the Pond Man of India, talked about the issues of direct garbage dumping, encroachments and multi-inlets, thereby also elaborating on technologies of bio-remediation, aqua culture, aeration and phytol-remediation for redressal. Through a presentation he depicted the before and after changes at various pond sights in The country. Shri Tan veer added that initiatives like ‘Selfie with Pond’ and ‘Nature Walk’ have done wonders to arouse consciousness of people about conservation of ponds, and thus water conservation. He emphasized on the importance of biodiversity and said that the main difference between a natural water body and an artificial water body is the healthy presence of biodiversity in the former. He said that community participation is central to making any public programmed a success. Speaking about the significance of conservation of water, Dr Bhanu Pratap Singh mentioned that Tamil Nadu is the first state, in the country, to make rainwater harvesting, compulsory. He said to prevent the loss of water and resources, we all need to act judiciously with regards its usage, in our daily lives. Dr V. Chintamani Reddy talked about the importance of community participation in successful implementation of any large-scale campaign, while Dr Rajesh Nathan emphasized on the idea of adding a unique parameter in ranking of educational institutions in the country—the Sustainability Factor, which would ensure the practice of conservation of environment, especially water conservation, in the setup. Dr Manual Jain discussed the concept of a ‘Water Budget’, which the associated University was implementing in the direction of water conservation, and said that we all have a great role to play in such a noble cause of preserving water. She rightly added that it takes a lot of blue to stay green.
