Respected Hon'ble Minister of Urban Development and Water Supply, Government of Sri Lanka Mr. DINESH GUNAWARDANE, my Ministerial colleagues, participants from different countries, Ladies & Gentlemen.

I feel greatly privileged to be here today on the occasion of inauguration of this workshop on a very important subject of Rain Water Harvesting. Rain Water Harvesting, as you are aware, is not only essential in Southern Asia, but all over the globe.

Water is the basis of all living ecosystems and habitats and part of an immutable hydrological cycle that must be respected if the development of human activity and well being is to be sustainable. Only 2.5% of the water available on the earth is fresh, of which two-third is locked up in ice caps and glaciers. Ground water constitutes about 30% of the available fresh water on the earth. Water is indeed a precious resource which needs to be managed carefully.

Since Independence in our country, we have made vast strides in developing our water resources in a big way and strove successfully to meet the aspirations of our populace to a satisfactory level. We can be proud of our past achievements in terms of developing and managing our water resources, despite sharp increases in demand due to improved living standard and manifold rise in population. Water resources sector, like in every walk of life, is constantly evolving and challenging. We have to be alert and thoughtful in such a way so that traditional wisdom and modernity go hand in hand to benefit wide section of our society. A lot more is required to be done. It is necessary to concentrate on adoption of best management practices to ensure efficient utilization of created facilities. These objectives can be achieved only if all the sections of the society join hand and play active role. In view of the reducing per capita availability of water resources, we have to give the message about the scarcity value of fresh water and urgent need to conserve it and preserve its quality. It is necessary that all concerned with development and management of water resources i.e. Government and Non-Government Organizations including Industrial Houses etc. come together and work unitedly in understanding the related issues and addressing them in proper perspective.

The green revolution in India during the post independence era has led to rapid development of the country's water resources for irrigation. Economic development of the country has led to increased demands of water for various sectors. Irrigation remains the largest use of water, accounting for 80% of fresh water abstracted. More than 50% of irrigation requirements are met through ground water. For domestic supplies, however, ground water is much more important contributing about 85% in rural water supply and above 50% in urban water supply. Industrial water supply is widely provided by ground water as it is usually cheaper and more reliable than municipal piped water supplies. Ground water thus plays a significant role in sustaining both the general development and economic growth of the country.

Increasing pace of ground water development to meet the growing demands of water in agriculture, industrial and domestic sectors, has brought problems of over-exploitation of the resource, continuously declining water levels, seawater ingress in coastal areas and ground water pollution in different parts of the country. The falling ground water levels in various parts of the country have threatened the sustainability of ground water resource, as water levels have gone deep beyond the economic lifts of pumping. The speedy and uncontrolled development of ground water resources has resulted into increase in over-exploited and critical/dark blocks.

As natural replenishment of ground water reservoir is slow and is unable to keep pace with the excessive continued exploitation of ground water resources in various parts of the country, there is an urgent need to augment the natural supply of ground water through artificial recharge of ground water. Roof top rainwater harvesting can also be adopted to meet domestic water requirements. This water can be stored in specifically constructed surface or sub-surface tanks.

The most feasible option to harvest the rain water is at place, where we get it and store it. Rain water harvesting is a tool to utilize the enormous volume of rainfall which otherwise goes as waste.

Water conservation has been practiced even in earlier times. Ancient texts of India like Puranas, Mahabharata and Ramayana, contain references to the water conservation and harvesting. There are ample references to the management of natural water resources in Kautilya's Arthshastra written in 3rd Century B.C. Rig Veda also mentions the construction of artificial canals to irrigate desert areas. During Harappan period, there was an efficient system of water management as is evident from the latest excavations conducted at Dholavira in Kachch district of Gujarat. It had several reservoirs to collect monsoon runoff and had an excellent drainage system. During Tuglak and Mughal period, water conservation also assumed importance. Feroz Shah Tuglaq (1351-1388 AD), stands out or his public works, particularly for building irrigation canals, several dams across rivers, reservoirs for irrigation and repair works. Delhi had numerous baolis (steeped wells) and dams.

Since long the rain water harvesting has been the part of the Indian traditions and over centuries, Indians have developed a range of techniques to harvest rain water. The traditional structures vary from state to state. In hilly and high rainfall areas, general practice is roof top rain water collection and storage. In Rajasthan, underground tanks and embankments are constructed whereas in southern states, weirs, ponds, open wells are constructed for the purpose of rain water harvesting.

The need for conservation of ground water has been emphasized in urban areas. The roof top rainwater harvesting is proposed both by augmenting the ground water storage as well as by storing it in specially built tanks. It is estimated that 37 lakh roof top rainwater-harvesting structures are feasible in the country.

In India, a number of programmes have been initiated for water conservation and rain water harvesting through central & state govt. agencies. There are certain States where rain water harvested in every house like in the State of Mizoram. In States like Rajasthan and Gujarat, which are drought prone states, peoples are increasingly realizing the importance of rain water harvesting. As a result of this awareness, these states have been able to achieve significant improvement in the availability of water for drinking and other purposes. Voluntary Organizations and Individuals have also contributed significantly in promoting rain water harvesting.

For implementing Artificial Recharge to Ground Water on large scale, there is a need of co-ordination between various Central and State Government Agencies/ Institutions and community in funding and implementing schemes, if maximum benefits are to be obtained from such schemes. This will help in proper utilization of available funds and use of appropriate technology.

Till recently artificial recharge to ground water has been implemented mainly through the efforts of the Government. Of late NGOs and VOs have taken a quantum leap and have done commendable work in selected areas in different parts of the country. A mechanism should be evolved for continuous interaction among Central/ State Government Agencies, local bodies, NGO's, VO's and community for optimal development and management of ground water resources. Government Organizations should come forward for providing technical and financial support through NGOs and VOs who in turn will ensure optimum utilization of funds for deriving maximum benefits from schemes on artificial recharge to ground water. This mechanism will also generate additional employment opportunities for local populace.

People's participation and social acceptance is essential for popularizing artificial recharge to ground water. The strategies for generating awareness, education and capacity building should be focused. Visits need to be organized for water harvesting functionaries and other Self Helf Group members to other villages for exposure to best practices for their motivation. Implementation of demonstrative projects on artificial recharge to ground water in Government offices, Agricultural Farms, Educational and Research Institute, for dissemination of technology by example.

Local bodies like Municipalities, Gram Panchayats, Mandal Parishads need to be involved in the programme for ensuring better results.

With a view to protect ground water regime and taking safeguard measures against hazards of over-exploitation and to ensure equitable distribution of the vital and limited resource, enactment of suitable legislation to regulate and control the development of ground water is felt necessary.

A collective step is, therefore, need to evolve a pragmatic policy to improve , utilize, augment and preserve the precious ground water resources and for that, I hope, a collective wisdom emerges here during our interaction, to achieve our goal of water for all.

I wish this Workshop on ' Rain Water Harvesting' a great success.

Thank you.