West Bengal: CM Mamata Banerjee takes lead in conservation drive

KOLKATA: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee, along with her cabinet colleagues, members of civil society, sportspersons and celebrities, walked down the road from Jorasnako to Mayo Road to spread awareness about water conservation.
The state had earlier announced that July 12 would be observed as Save Water Day to emphasise the need for conservation, given the a crisis is waiting to happen owing to indiscriminate wastage of water.The move was taken especially after reservoirs in Chennai dried up, leading to such a shortage that street fights broke out over shares of water.
“What Bengal thinks today, the entire worlds thinks tomorrow. Let us make a beginning and start conserving water. We have to realise it is a precious commodity. The state has led the way by launching several initiatives in conservation of water. We have not only created more than 3 lakh waterbodies across the state but also laid stress on rainwater harvesting,” said chief minister Mamata Banerjee at a gathering on Mayo Road. Amid loud applause from students, Banerjee also urged schoolchildren to play a big part in spreading awareness.
Kolkata is not staring at a water crisis yet, but environmentalists, government agencies and town planners have already set alarm bells ringing. Climate change, rapid urbanisation, massive use of groundwater, filling up of waterbodies, concrete pavements and, of course, mindless misuse have already made the signs of water distress in the city and the region apparent.
Everyone present at the event took a pledge to save water in every possible way. A song by the CM on water conservation was also played at the event.