GUWAHATI: While 71 per cent of Earth's surface is covered with water, only 3 per cent of the available water is fresh water. About two-thirds of the fresh water lies frozen in the form of glaciers and ice caps. The rest of the small portion is available in the form of ground water and surface water. With the challenges in the environment and climate change looming large, availability of clean water resources and their management are areas of concern that need immediate address.
According to a press release, in order to initiate a discussion on the issue, a seminar was organized at Cotton University at Sudmersen Hall on the occasion of World Water Day, which is observed on March 22 every year.
The event was organized by a city-based weekly tabloid as a part of their Campus Talks series, which is a programme aimed to encourage and involve the young students to initiate dialogue and discourse on topics of cultural, political or regional significance.
The theme for of the seminar was 'Meeting the SD Goal: Accesses to Safe Drinking Water and Ensuring Availibility', which included a keynote presentation and a panel discussion on the subject 'Levers of Change: Actions and Solutions for Safe Waters'.
Dr Sonali Ghosh, OSD, Swachh Bharat Mission, delivered the keynote address. She elaborated on the mission and vision of Jal Mission and apprised all present at the discussion on how India and Assam are moving towards achieving the 100 per cent target on water security. "The entire Government is focused on ensuring that every household has a functional tap with clean and safe water. That is the mission of Jal Jeevan Mission for the next 5 years," she said.
She was supported by Dr Gautam Kumar Sarma, State Project Specialist (WQM&S), supported by UNICEF, who spoke on the importance of setting up water testing laboratories to gauge and improve water quality in the state.
The panel discussion on the theme 'Levers of Change: Actions and Solutions for Safe Waters' was moderated by Barun Borpujari, Former ED, Indian Oil Corporation Limited and the panelists were Dr Chandan Mahanta, Professor, IIT Guwahati, Nripendra Sarma, Superintending Engineer, PHE and Dr Satyajit Kataki, Associate Professor, Geology Department, Cotton University.
The welcome address was delivered by Nandinee Kalita.
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