~I welcome all of you to the Eleventh meeting of the National River Conservation Authority.

Civilizations have prospered on the banks of rivers. Many important cities of the world also have derived their sustenance from rivers. Today, however, rivers are in need of sustenance.

With the phenomenal increase in population, and the dramatic rise in living standards of people in many parts of the world, there has been a sharp increase in the demand for fresh water. The total availability of fresh water, on the other hand, has not increased. To make the matter worse, the availability has actually dipped on account of man-made pollution. Water sustains life. Now the time has come for us to sustain the availability of clean water.

This is a cause for great concern, especially since the planet’s population is projected to increase to about 8 billion by 2025. Rightfully, the United Nations has proclaimed the year 2003 as the International Year of Fresh Water with the slogan ~Water – Two billion People are dying for it.~

It is ironic that, although we consider our rivers holy, we have allowed river pollution to assume alarming proportions. A major reason for pollution is disposal of untreated sewage from large and medium towns.

The Government’s river cleaning programme started with launching of Ganga Action Plan. This programme has now been extended to the national level and covers 157 towns along 31 polluted stretches of major rivers in 18 states. It is estimated to cost about Rs.4,063 crore. The Tenth Plan has accorded high priority to address this problem effectively. I am told that there have been some delays in its implementation but now the constraints have been removed and the programme is progressing in full swing.

As you are aware, the works of first phase of the Ganga Action Plan and Yamuna Action Plan have been completed. However, the operation and maintenance of the assets created under these programmes has turned out to be unsatisfactory. This is a matter of great concern and requires our immediate attention. Some of the participating States have to pay much more attention to the implementation process. The time has come for the State Governments to evolve new strategies for making the programme more sustainable by way of capacity building of the local bodies and enhancement of their revenue.

Past experiences have shown us that the success of such programme depends on an integrated approach covering all aspects of river pollution as well as urban sanitation and waste management. We have to formulate river action plans in an integrated and holistic manner so that these programmes become more effective in terms of cost, impact and outreach. For this, the various concerned ministries at the Central and State levels, as also municipal bodies, have to work together with effective coordination. It is also necessary to strengthen the institutional mechanism in the local bodies for speedy implementation and proper monitoring of the project.

The programme of this magnitude can never be successful without involving NGOs, and members of Civil Society. Social and cultural organizations can also play effective role as partners of this mission. I would like to emphasise here the need to involve religious personalities and institutions, since they too can play a positive role in our programmes. As we all know, they also have been at the forefront in voicing concern at the deteriorating conditions of our water resources.

Friends, Mother Nature is reminding us to learn proper lessons from the wrongs we have committed. We have to respect and restore the delicate balance in Nature. Water is not unlimited and we have to be wise and farsighted in using it. Therefore, we need to implement the river conservation programme with a greater sense of urgency and commitment.

Before concluding, I would like to urge all the participating States to fully share the responsibility for making this programme a success. The Central Government will extend all possible assistance on its part.

Thank you.~