Parliamentary panel flags Tamil Nadu's groundwater crisis and water pollution concerns

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water Resources examined Tamil Nadu's depleting groundwater levels, water pollution and climate-driven challenges during a meeting in Udhagamandalam on Monday.

Committee Chairman and Member of Parliament Rajiv Pratap Rudy led discussions on the planning and design of the state's water infrastructure, project implementation and monitoring, alongside sustainability strategies.

Climate and Scarcity Reviewed

The committee conducted a detailed examination of variables including climate change, temperature, population growth and water scarcity as they relate to the state's water security.

Water quality concerns and the effectiveness of sustainable management approaches also featured in the deliberations.

Panel's Mandate

Speaking at the event, Rudy explained that the water resources committee is one of 24 department-related standing committees covering sectors from agriculture and defence to energy and finance.

"The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water Resources has been constituted for the implementation of water-resource-related schemes, equitable distribution of water and sustainable resource management. It is an important committee that examines, on behalf of Parliament, the policies, schemes and activities of the government relating to the management of the country's water resources," he said.

He emphasised that government schemes for water resources should be implemented in full.

Nilgiris District Collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru and Prashant M. Vadnere, Secretary of the Water Resources Department in the Tamil Nadu government, attended the meeting.

Source: The Hindu