Punjab Newsline, Shimla, February 18-
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri emphasized upon the need to adopt a long-term and scientific approach for water security. He was speaking at the second All India State Water Ministers Conference being organised in Udaipur in Rajasthan. Addressing the gathering on the topic 'India@2047 - A Water Secure Nation', he underlined the need for water crisis and effects of climate change and innovation-based solutions, so that water management could be made more sustainable.
In his address on the first day of the conference, being organised on 18th and 19th February, the Deputy Chief Minister said that a special policy should be made for hill states to face the challenges of climate change. He said that due to untimely rains and less snowfall, the water level of water sources is continuously decreasing.
Citing scientific studies, the Deputy Chief Minister said that Himalayan glaciers are melting at the rate of 20-30 meters per decade, increasing uncertainty in river flow and volume, and deepening the water crisis.