Pune, September 12 – It is the scarcity of drinking water resources that is causing people to migrate from rural parts of the state, especially the drought-prone regions, said Richard Mahapatra of Wateraid India on the sidelines of the first consultation meeting for preparation of the Citizens’ Report on Domestic Water and Sanitation.
“It is not so much the lack of water for irrigation. If people lose crops, they can still depend on public wage schemes like NREGS, but if they do not have drinking water, they cannot get a water bottle,” said Mahapatra.
Water Aid has been collaborating with over 220 citizens’ groups across the country and over 10 groups attended the first meeting today, where groups pointed to the existing network and lacunae in promoting equitable water accessibility. The Citizens’ Report, which is expected by December 2009, will highlight domestic water, sanitation and hygiene related issues from the citizens’ point of view.
