‘Timely action can avoid Bengaluru-like situation in MP’
Waterman of India Rajendra Singh on Tuesday cautioned Indore Institute of Science and Technology (IIST) students: “If we fail to take timely action, even MP will face Bengaluru-like situation.”
He was addressing an event organized by IIST to create awareness on water conservation among students. Addressing the students, he said that in terms of water, MP too was in danger zone. “MP would turn waterless like Rajasthan and Bengaluru if timely action is not taken.”
His advice: “If the crop pattern is aligned with rain pattern, crop production of MP will increase, and cut down on water requirement by 60%.”
He emphasised on teaching nature conservation in colleges for sustainable living of coming generations.
Serving a warning against attempting to control Nature, he cited the example of Dubai flood. “The Nature would respond harshly if we try to disturb its beauty. We cannot control Nature. We can just solve problems by living with the Nature. Our Vedas also emphasize the importance of Nature conservation, but we humans have lost our way, due to which we face natural disasters,” he said.
Nowadays, colleges teach control and management of Nature, but they do not teach how to nurture Nature. There is a need for water literacy movement across the country to ensure that future generations do not suffer from water scarcity.
The session was hosted by IRS Director General - IIST group (IIST, IIP, IIMR) Arun S Bhatnagar. He had been running a Green Wave Movement in the institution from the last six years, which includes plantation, water harvesting, organic farming, agro-forestry and no plastic initiatives. As a result, the IIST campus has become self-reliant in water resources.
As special guests, Padma Shri Bhalu Modhe, Chairman of Medicaps College RC Mittal, Chairman of Acropolis Group of Institutes Ashok Sojatia and Chairman of Oriental University Gaurav Thakral, along with a large number of college students, faculty members, and environmentalists were present in the session.