Ganga rejuvenation essential for future of water: French Ambassador

There is a connect between Ganga rejuvenation and Swachh Bharat which is essential for the future of water in India. New projects being undertaken would have a positive impact said French Ambassador Francois Richier on Thursday. He was speaking at the Indo French Water Network discussion held at National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI).

The Indo-French Centre for the promotion of Advanced Research is an autonomous body equally funded by the French Embassy and Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt of India. The body funds research on identifying new areas of scientific cooperation between both countries and supports Indian and French students and scientists.

Projects on irrigation and groundwater in and around Hyderabad have been going on for more than 15 years ever since the Indo-French centre started. A great deal of work on mapping aquifers and underground water levels has been completed informed Prof Shakeel Ahmed, Indian team leader, Indo-French Centre for Groundwater Research, NGRI, Hyderabad.

While depleting groundwater levels are a cause for worry, global warming is another issue that the scientist spoke at length. Francois Richier said that the future of the planet is at risk and it is a challenge to see that the temperatures should not rise above 2°C by the end of the century.

Call for consensus

The French Ambassador Francois Richier said that he would be working towards bringing as many nations as possible to reach an agreement to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and limiting global warming to 2°C. He also drew attention to the e-waste that is piling up in Hyderabad due to IT industry which would finally find its way into water bodies. This is an alarming situation and has to be nipped in the bud, he added.