Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Mar 13: 'The need for water is not unique to India alone. It is a global issue. To ensure that everyone gets access to water, there is no other viable option but to resort to inter-linking of rivers,' felt secretary in the union department of earth sciences, Dr Shailesh Nayak.
He was speaking after inaugurating a three-day international conference on water resources, coasts, and marine engineering, organized by the department of applied mechanics and hydraulics of National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Suratkal, on Thursday March 12.
At the same time, he hastened to warn that linking of rivers is a highly complicated and elaborate issue. 'We can move ahead on this direction only after conducting exhaustive study over the pros and cons, and after practically testing the feasibility,' he felt. He also stressed that the focus should not be towards addressing immediate issues, but to envision every plan by keeping in mind requirement for the next 50 years. He felt this conference can moot many thoughts, debates, and comments on the plans of the central government.
He also said that the nations may have to go in for extracting minerals buried deep under the oceans as the treasure of several minerals like nickel and cobalt found beneath the earth surface are getting exhausted. 'For this, new technical inventions are needed. There is a concept of turning seawater into fresh water but water pollution needs to be checked to maintain quality of water. We need to maintain seashores clean, and enrich underground water table,' he opined.
Prof Usha Nateshan of the water resource centre of Anna University, Chennai, felt that it need not come as a surprise if third world war is sparked off on the issue of water share. She felt that there is a need to think of plans which can provide water to everyone as per their needs.
Prof A Kandaswamy of NITK presided. Dr Subba Rao welcomed. Prof Dwarakish delivered introductory address.