By: Amit kumaR Agarwal
The second All-India State Water Ministers’ Conference successfully concluded in Udaipur, Rajastan, bringing together key stakeholders to deliberate on critical water management issues. The final day of the conference focused on three thematic sessions: Water Delivery Services: Irrigation and Other Uses, Demand Management and Water Use Efficiency, and Integrated River and Coastal Management.
These discussions led to significant recommendations aimed at enhancing India’s water governance and ensuring sustainable water resource management. The two day conference on February 18-19, 2025 was inaugurated by Union Minister of Jal Shakti, C.R. Patil in the presence of Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Bhajan Lal Sharma.
In the closing ceremony of the two day conference, Union Minister of Jal Shakti, C R Patil emphasized that the conference was not just limited to discussing challenges, but also focused on collective efforts to find solutions. The Minister also highlighted the importance of such forums in sharing knowledge and finding practical solutions to issues.
The final day of the conference emphasized the importance of achieving the mission 'Har Khet Ko Pani' through strategic interventions. To this end, adopting Evapotranspiration (ET) based irrigation performance assessment and improving on-farm application efficiency through micro-irrigation were recommended. Accelerating Command Area Development for last mile connectivity and promoting conjunctive use of surface water, groundwater, and treated water through guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were also suggested.
Furthermore, the conference recommended enhancing the reach of the Pressurized Irrigation Network (PIN) and Underground Pipe Line (UGPL). A bureau of water use efficiency to promote Water Use Efficiency (WUE) across all sectors was also proposed in the conference. Holistic Demand Management for reducing water stress, adopting water-efficient cropping patterns, and applying state-of-the-art technology, including AI/ML, for sustainable water management practices in agriculture was also emphasized.