Excelsior Correspondent
00JAMMU, Mar 22: The Institution of Engineers (India), Jammu Centre, today celebrated World Water Day with the theme “Glacier Preservation”.
The event was attended by engineers from various Departments, organizations and senior engineers along with members of the Committee of IEI, Jammu Centre.
On this occasion, Javed Ahmed Rana, Minister, Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs Department, was the chief guest and Satish Sharma, Minister for IT, Youth Services & Sports, Transport, Science & Technology, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, ARI & Training graced the occasion as guest of honour.
Khurshid Ahmad Shah, Mission Director, Jal Jeevan Mission, J&K, also accompanied as another guest of honour. Iftikhar Ahmed Kakroo, Chairman, J&K Water Resources (Regulation & Management) Authority (JKWRRA) & Jose George Pottakkal, Head, Western Himalayan Regional Centre, National Institute of Hydrology, Jammu were the keynote speakers.
Anil Verma, FIE Chairman, IEI, Jammu Centre, presided over the function. He drew an analogy between blood and glaciers and explained that the way blood is important for human life so are the glaciers for sustenance of water on this planet.
Javed Ahmed Rana stressed upon preservation of glaciers which is not only important to protect the environment but also necessary for ensuring the wellbeing of millions of people.
Satish Sharma highlighted that we should go far afforestation to protect the environment thereby preventing further degradation of glaciers.
Khurshid Ahmad Shah, MD, Jal Jeevan Mission stressed upon initiatives such as rainwater harvesting and organic farming which reduce the strain on glaciers resources. He also administered World Water Day Pledge to the audience.
Iftikhar Ahmed Kakroo described the current position of glacier reduction because of erratic weather patterns &drying of water bodies. He advocated for research by Govt agencies & academia for adoption of water conservation management strategies.
Jose George Pottakkal highlighted the importance of glaciers and their current state including the situation of glaciers in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
During the seminar, P K Nanda, B L Rawal, Sachin Tickoo, Gopal Sharma, Ranjeev Sawhney, Hemdeep Singh Ishar, Joy Ganjoo, Akash Dusgotra and Anil Kumar, also presented their papers on the theme.
Avneet Gupta, Honorary Secretary, IEI Jammu Local Centre, presented the vote of thanks.
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