Cooperation key for linking rivers: G Viswanathan

The governments should view the water-problem as the problem of their own country and be helpful to the inter-linking of rivers without any partisan attitude, he pleaded.

He said the problem of water could be solved if the discharge of the excess waters from rivers flowing into the sea was prevented. He also said that there was a need to take steps to divert the excess river waters to arid areas.

Dr Viswanathan said VIT University had become a role model in rainwater harvest in the university and more than 40 lakh litres of water was getting recycled.

He said in Vellore the ground water level had gone down to 50' and it had become mandatory for the people to ensure water was not wasted.

In sharp criticism against the water scarcity, Dr Viswanathan pointed out that if at all there was going to be a third world war, it would be only for 'fresh-water' and “we could call it a water-war”.

The founder of the Bengaluru-based Water Literacy Foundation, Ayyappa Masagi who was the chief guest of the function, said without water there would not be living things on earth. Hence, people should give importance to save water.

He reiterated that if the people harvested rainwater, they could celebrate all festivals with ease. He said his Rs 7.39 lakh project for rainwater harvesting, which took shape last July had given fruitful results. The VIT university Pro-VC Dr Anand A.Samuel in his felicitation said a Student of the School of Bio-Sciences Technology had been interested in making a research on converting seawater into potable water to totally eradicate the prevailing water scarcity.

Earlier, VIT Chancellor Dr G.Viswanathan administered the Water Conservation Week pledge to the students. Dr A.N.Brijesh Nair, professor of SMBS welcomed the gathering and Dr S. Vijayalakshmi, associate professor of SSL, proposed the vote of thanks.