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Earth Summit: India wants safe water
for all

Reforms in water pricing should reflect the cost of providing water, and to the extent possible, environmental protection, the Union Minister for Environment and Forests, T R Baalu, said in Johannesburg in his address to the Plenary Session on Water and Sanitation at the Earth Summit.

On the water situation in India, Baalu said that in most parts of the country, only 10 per cent of the river flow was available during six months in a year.

"In view of this, policy initiatives relating to fresh water resources and evaluation of impacts of climate change have become critical," Baalu said, adding there was a potential for partnerships with scientific institutions in promoting water conservation and harvesting in developing countries.

Shortage in water supply for domestic, agriculture and industrial needs is resulting in over-exploitation of ground water, the minister said.

This was resulting in long-term decline in water levels, deterioration of water quality in aquifers and ingress of saline water in coastal aquifers, he said.

In India and other developing countries, the main concerns were providing safe water and sanitation to large sections of the population, meeting minimum per capita consumption requirement and tackling growing water pollution, he said.

Baalu said he was concerned at the inadequate sanitation infrastructure in developing countries and called on the global community to address the problem as a matter of priority.

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