OOTY, Sep 1: Rajya Sabha MP from Arunachal Pradesh Tai Tagak is participating in a study-visit programme of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water Resources to southern states, including Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, being conducted under the chairmanship of Rajiv Pratap Rudy.
The programme began on August 29 and involves 21 Members of Parliament from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The committee is visiting project areas and holding discussions with representatives of various agencies and departments dealing with water resources, including Water Resources Departments, Jal Jeevan Mission, Forest and Environment departments, Central Water Commission (CWC), WAPCOS, NPCC, district administrations, NDRF, SDRF and police authorities.
The study visit is focusing on dam management, water conservation, flood management, river-basin management, groundwater management, biodiversity and disaster management.
On Monday, the committee held discussions and interactions with representatives of Tamil Nadu on various aspects of water resources at Gem Park, Ooty. The discussions covered the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)-Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) and PMKSY-Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP)-Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) schemes in Tamil Nadu, including the use of SCADA systems for equitable distribution and sustainable management of water resources.
The committee also reviewed the institutional role, operational performance, technical consultancy framework and project execution mechanisms adopted by WAPCOS and NPCC in the planning, design, implementation and monitoring of water infrastructure and allied projects in Tamil Nadu.
Groundwater resources in the state were also examined, with particular focus on depletion, quality degradation, contamination and the effectiveness of conservation and sustainable management measures.
Another key area of discussion was water security and flood management, particularly in the Nilgiris region. The committee also evaluated water availability stress and the sustainability of water resources in the region in the context of climate change, variations in rainfall and temperature, population growth and the increasing tourist influx.
The committee discussed the adequacy of existing adaptation, conservation and water-management measures to address these emerging challenges.
Presentations were made by the Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department on PMKSY-AIBP and groundwater issues, besides presentations by WAPCOS/NPCC, NDRF and SDRF.
As part of the study visit, the committee also visited the Charmraj Tea Estate and factory, an export-oriented facility, and a strawberry garden in Ooty.
The study visit is aimed at gaining first-hand understanding of water-resource management practices and challenges in the southern states and assessing measures for sustainable and resilient water management.