PANAJI
Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral on Friday said that the government's wetland identification process will be completed in one or two years so that these water bodies can be preserved.
"We have identified a few wetlands and are trying to protect them. Hopefully, by this year or next year, we will have to identify technically the entire wetlands of Goa so that they are protected and water bodies are protected," said Cabral while speaking at a World Water and Environment Day function.
The function was organised by the Indian Water Works Association (IWWA) and Public Works Department (PWD) at Altinho-Panaji.
The minister further added that though at present the State has abundant water, looking at the increase in population, the State may face water issues in the next 15 years.
He said that efforts are on to supply 24X7 water to the people.
Cabral also said that we have to do a lot more to protect the environment.
The minister, however, said that people should use the water resources judiciously and make efforts to protect the environment.
Cabral said that sometimes people just blame the government without any reason.
"In high rise buildings, when the water doesn’t rise from the underground tanks due to low pumping capacity, people like to blame the government," he said.
Cabral said that people blame engineers and the political class for the interruption in the water supply, adding "It is easy to blame someone else, but we should always think that when we point fingers at others we always turn the other three fingers to ourselves."
He appealed to initiate a school movement to raise awareness among children to save water and the environment.
"School children should be taught to save water. Telling the younger generations is important," said Cabral.
Antonio Dias gave a lecture on water conservation strategies and the process at the programme.
