Saluting Dr Madhav Chitale, the man who made India see water as a 'resource'!

Don't you think the approaching summer and the coronavirus pandemic have given a silent warning to the world on how critical the availability of clean water is? What are we doing to ensure that everyone, particularly the underprivileged, get safe water? On the World Water Day today when we pledge to not waste water or stop anyone else waste water, we must respect the man who sowed the seeds of water conservation within India.

 

Born in 1934, Dr. Madhav A. Chitale has played a major role in getting India’s decision-makers and strategic planners to think of water as a resource whose quality and availability need to be safeguarded. He was the first Indian to internationally put forth the idea of signalling March 22 as the World Water Day at the Rio de Janeiro United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, 1992. The United Nations General Assembly then adopted a resolution by which March 22 of each year was declared World Day for Water, to be observed starting in 1993. The main focus of the day is to support the achievement of sustainable development goal (SDG) 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.

 

 

Dr Chitale joined the Maharashtra State Engineering Service in 1956, where he held engineering posts at various levels associated with planning, investigation and construction of river valley projects. He then worked as secretary to Government of Maharashtra (1981-1983), before moving over to the central government in 1984, as commissioner, River Basins. He was appointed chairman, Central Water Commission, an apex body of India’s water sector, and ex-officio secretary to GOI in 1985, and thereafter as secretary, Ministry of Water Resources from 1989. He retired from government service in August 1992. Later, he became secretary-general of International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage during 1993-1997.

 

This year, the theme of World Water Day, according to the United Nations is about what water means to people, it's true value and how we can better protect this vital resource. The value of water is about much more than its price. This universal solvent has enormous and complex value for our households, culture, health, education, economics and the integrity of our natural environment. If we overlook any of these values, we risk mismanaging this finite, irreplaceable resource.

 

 

According to the United Nations, 1 in 3 people lives without safe drinking water. Half of the world's population will be living in water-stressed areas by 2025. It is high-time when every human on this planet should save water and find ways for its conservation. About 2.2 billion people in the world are living without access to safe water. The day is all about thinking and taking action to tackle the global water crisis.

 

 

It is in the 1980s that Dr Chitale introduced an annual nationwide water resources day. A different theme is chosen for the day each year, which influenced neighbouring countries in South Asia. In the mid-1960s, a World Bank project was planned to supply the city of Mumbai with drinking water, carrying it 60 km from a reservoir in closed pipelines. Chitale managed to get the plan changed to involve irrigation canals and a hydropower station and under-stream tunnels. “My view has always been that development projects as big as this should be as fully integrated as possible with other development opportunities,” Dr. Chitale said.

 

As a part of the nationwide programmes to develop cover several rivers, Dr Chitale was one of those who originated of the Ganga Action Plan to improve the waters of the holy river. He was also involved in the development of the World Water Council and the Global Water Partnership. This effort placed the subject of water on the priority agenda not only of India but also of the bordering countries in South Asia. He received many honours and awards in recent years for his achievements for the millions of people in the region who benefit from his work. He has had a brilliant career in the water-oriented industry since graduating with first class honours with distinction in 1955.

 

 

Dr. Chitale has been chairman of Indian National Committee on Large Dams (1986-1987), Indian National Committee of International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (1986-1987) and Indian National Committee on Hydrology (1985-1988), president of Indian Water Resources Society (1989-1990) and vice president of International Water Resources Association (1989-1991). He till date has been honoured with the degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) by the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, in 1989, and Stockholm Water Prize in 1993 for his contribution to the conservation of the world’s water resources and public education programmes.

 

 

He reorganised the Central Water Commission in 1991 and established an Environmental Management Organisation also covering environmental impact assessment studies and environmental monitoring. He was instrumental in establishing the Water Quality Monitoring and Management of the Ganges. On an international basis, Dr. Chitale has made many presentations throughout the world and his publications on water resources have been studied eagerly by those interested in the subject. He has been a member of the United Nations Environment Programme's Water Advisory Committee. In the early 90s Dr. Chitale retired from service within the Government of India and accepted the post of Secretary General for the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage from January 1, 1993. This appointment was another recognition of his international standing the field of water resources.

 

 

No person is ever honored for what he recieves but it's the reward for what he gives to the society! Dr Madhav A. Chitale is one such person who has spent all his life thinking of structuring water conservation in developing countries. Let's join him in his pledge to raising awareness to 2.2 bn people and know the worth of water!

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