Water conservation a necessity: Longon

Minister for Soil & Water Conservation and Land Resources Development, P Longon has said conservation of water had become one of the most important aspects for healthy living.
The minister who was the chief guest at the State level Science Seminar on the theme “Water Crisis on Earth-Problem and Remedies” held Friday at GHSS, Kohima auditorium, said that though more than two-third of the world’s surface was covered by water, there was water crisis because sea water and ice were not fit for consumption and industrial use.
He suggested remedial measures such as improved water management and conservation, increasing awareness on water crisis by decision makers at all levels, stopping pollution of rivers, streams, ponds and lakes, roof-top rain water harvesting, afforestation and construction of wells and dams.
Longon said rain water harvesting was ideal for areas where there is inadequate ground water supply. He said rainwater was bacteria free, free from organic matter and soft in nature.
On afforestation, the minister said through “plantation of trees, conservation of water is made easier as the places having large number of trees are never dry and has large amount of underground water is stored.”
He also said construction of wells and dams was needed to tap underground water, which is one of the purest forms of water as it gets naturally filtered through the layers of the soil.
“Construction of dams helps in storage of waters which can be supplied to towns and cities for domestic, industries and it is also used for the generation of electricity,” the minister added.
The minister appealed to all to care and preserve limited water resources “in our Mother Earth for our survival.” The function was chaired by director, School Education, Nipusilie Angami.