Venue: Jaipur

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Address by Chief Minister of Rajasthan

Her Excellency the President of India,

H.E. the governor of Rajasthan,

Hon’ble Minister of State Ministry of Environment & Forests, GOI, Shri Namo Narain Meena,

Hon’ble Dr. V.L. Chopra Member of Panning Commission, GOI,

Shri Laxmi Narayan Dave, Minister of Forests, Environment, and Mines, Government of Rajasthan,

Shri Hashimoto, Governor of Ibaraki Prefecture Japan,

Shri Hironori Hamanaka Director General, International Lake Environment Committee Foundation, Japan,

Mrs. Meena Gupta, Secretary, MoEF, Government of India,

Distinguished guests, the delegates from all over the world, ladies and gentlemen

It gives me immense pleasure to be with you here on the occasion of inauguration of the 12 th World Lake Conference Being organized for the first time in India.

I am particularly delighted to note that this international conference, which is the first of its kind in South Asia, is being held in the Pink city of Jaipur. The Conference would provide us unique opportunity to address the challenges and threats being posed to lakes and wetlands through various sources, including developmental activities. Keeping up the pace of development while preserving the unique biodiversity of these aquatic bodies is a challenging task.

Lakes and other water bodies have played a very important role in the development of mankind. They have remained the favoured locations for both hominids and modern humans for development of civilizations. These aquatic ecosystems are vital to economic and social well-being of the people. Besides, Lakes have special significance in conservation of the distinctive aquatic flora and fauna, whose entire life revolves around these water bodies. I would like to remind here that the livelihood security of communities and the biodiversity of lake ecosystems are intrinsically linked.

Rajasthan, in spite of considerable aridity, is well known for its variety of ecosystems. The Thar Desert, the ancient Aravail hills along with many wetlands make the State a treasure trove of habitats and biodiversity which is unique in the country. The Wetland in the State, spread all over, have individual characteristics and in many forms are representative of the region. It would be difficult to introduce Udaipur without the majestic Pichola, Fatehsagar and Jaisamand. Bharatpur is known worldwide for its unique habitat of aquatic migratory avian fauna and Sambhar is k known for its saltwater lake, both being the famous Ramsar sites.

However, as we all know, these unique ecosystems are today threatened by many factors including habitat destruction, drainage ad urbanization. I am sure, the issue of sustainability of the lakes will be deliberated at length in this conference. The knowledge you synthesize during the conference shall have relevance for policy and practice of sustainable management of lakes in India and around the world. I hope, the outcome of this conference, would contribute to the sustainability of lake ecosystems.

Rajasthan has been among the pioneer Indian states to take steps towards the conservation of lakes and their rich cultural heritage structures associated with them. Jal Mahal in Mansagar lake of Jaipur is one such example. I am given to understand and that Mansagar lake will be visited by the delegates during the course of the conference. further, we are working proactively to improve the conditions of our lake in close association with the Central Ministry of Environment & Forests under the National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP). Shri Namo Narain Ji, Hon’ble Minister of State, Environment and Forests, Government of India, who also hails from this state, has been contributing towards this cause.

I am grateful that Her Excellency, the President of India, who has been associated with Rajasthan till very recently and has first hand knowledge of the natural treasure that has been bestowed upon this State, has graced the occasion today.

Mr. Hashimoto, Governor of Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, Mr. Hironori Hamanaka, Director General of International Lake Environment Committee Foundation, Dr. V.L. Chopra, Member Planning Commission, are our honorable guest and we welcome all of them with open heart and humility.

It gives me immense pleasure to welcome the lake experts from abroad and India at Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan State. Your scientific knowledge and unfathomable experience will certainly help the governments to understand the threats to the lake ecosystems. I wish the conference every success.

Jai Hind