The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the India Water Week 2013 with the theme ‘Efficient Water Management: Challenges and Opportunities’ organized by the Ministry of Water Resources.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that the theme for this year holds significance in today’s context. He said that the severe drought in some parts of the country, particularly Maharashtra, is a matter of grave concern. He added that the increasing occurrence of droughts and floods in India has underlined the need to find solutions to improve the management of water resources.

The President said that the available water must be managed judiciously to meet the twin burden of population growth and economic development. He stated that conservation, balanced distribution and reclamation of used water are essential cogs in the wheel of water management. He said that our efforts must be directed at mitigating the regional imbalance in water availability. He said that we must strive to achieve equity in the allocation of water between urban and rural areas. He added that water conservation should be accorded the high priority that it deserves.

The President expressed the hope that the India Water Week 2013 would be able to provide meaningful solutions and guide our approach to water management. He said that he also expected the Water Expo 2013 to showcase exciting technological possibilities for sustaining this vital natural resource.

On the occasion, Union Minister of Water Resources released the National Water Policy Document -2012 and presented its first copy to the President.