2nd All-India State Water Ministers’ Conference

• 21 Feb 2025

Source: PIB 

Why in News?

The 2^nd All-India State Water Ministers’ Conference, organized by the Ministry of Jal Shakti concluded in Udaipur, Rajasthan suggested a number of initiatives for water management issues. 

• The conference, themed "India@2047 – A Water Secure Nation’’.

Note: The First All India State Ministers Conference on Water held in Bhopal (January 2023) focussed on five key areas i.e., water security, water use efficiency, governance, climate resilience, and water quality. 

What are Key Initiatives Suggested by 2nd All-India State Water Ministers’ Conference? 

• Agricultural Water Management: Adoption of micro-irrigation techniques such as drip and sprinkler irrigation, expanding Pressurized Irrigation Networks (PIN), Evapotranspiration (ET)-based irrigation performance assessment to improve water efficiency in agriculture. 
  • ET combines soil evaporation and plant transpiration to assess whether crops receive adequate water for optimal growth. 
• River Rejuvenation: Implementing floodplain zoning, rejuvenating water sources such as springs to augment river flows, and promoting quantification of water consumption can augment river restoration projects. 
• Strengthening Drinking Water Supply: Sustaining the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) through Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSCs). 
  • Enhancing urban water security through AMRUT by improving water supply infrastructure promoting grey water management under Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 for wastewater reuse. 
• Improving Water Storage: Prioritizing Extension, Renovation, and Modernization (ERM) of water storage systems to maximize efficiency and lifespan while restoring smaller water bodies to enhance availability in rural and urban areas. 
  • Implementing automated reservoir operations for better management of water storage and distribution. 
• Strengthening Water Governance: Implementing Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) with state-specific solutions and strengthening grassroots participation in water governance. 
  • Scaling up the ‘Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari’ initiative nationwide to promote community-driven water conservation efforts.

Drishti Mains Question:

What initiatives can be taken to ensure sustainable water management?

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Mains 

Q. What are the salient features of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan launched by the Government of India for water conservation and water security? (2020) 

Q. What is water stress? How and why does it differ regionally in India? (2019)