Friday, 22 March 2013

DOHA: The Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada on the occasion of World Water Day (celebrated today) said that Qatar has been celebrating the day each year to mark the significance of water for its people. 

Dr Al Sada added that Qatar, given its geographical location with scanty rainfall, accelerating depletion in groundwater levels and increasing salinity in the sea water is well aware about the importance of this scarce natural resource. And the steady increase in the demand for water to satisfy basic needs coupled with the huge requirement of water in implementing comprehensive developmental projects; make the issue of water more significant. 

Appreciating the United Nations' inattentive to identify 2013 as the 'International Year of Cooperation', he added that it will help attract more attention and have a comprehensive dimension of cooperation among nations in the field of water, sustainable development, climate change and food security.

He said that equitable distribution of this primary resource among nations can be an important tool to avoid conflicts and promote peaceful relations among them. He also highlighted the need for cooperation in the field of water desalination technology, regional cooperation among states and all segments of society for the optimal utilization of this precious resource--water. 

He welcomed the initiatives taken by Qatar such as aggressive investment in the field of scientific research for developing latest desalination technology, well defined water management policy and protecting available sources and exploring non-traditional sources. 

He said that these initiatives will transform Qatar as a role model for others in the region. 

Golden opportunity
The World Water Day, the minister said, is a golden opportunity for all of us to raise awareness among the people in Qatar by campaigning and highlighting the correct ways to use water for various purposes, and also advocating about the importance of water conservation.

He stressed that keeping in view the importance of the water sector, the Ministry of Energy and Industry, represented by the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation Kahramaa, has taken many initiatives to develop and modernise facilities that are vital for this sector to raise productivity and meet the growing demand for water.

To achieve the requirements of social and economic development, in addition to the adoption of parallel plans for the rehabilitation and maintenance of existing stations, it has also taken many other leads including the establishment of new stations to support the water systems and networks to provide better level of services that meet the needs of citizens and residents.

Meanwhile, Kahramaa will mark World Water Day today with a series of activities focusing on Tharsheed, the ongoing national campaign to reduce water consumption by 35 per cent by 2016.

An Arabic play titled Tarsheed Al Khair will be staged for three days at the Qatar National Theatre starting March 25.. 

Tarsheed Al Khair raises awareness among children about the importance of electricity and water conservation and the danger of irrational use. This has been done in a symbolic way making use of day-to-day practices and scenes. 

The play, meant for school students, will be staged from 8 am to 12pm. There will be an evening show on the last day for Kahramaa employees and  their families. Other conservation activities have also been planned aligning with declaring 2013 as the International Year of Water Cooperation by UN General Assembly.

Kahramaa President Essa bin Hilal Al Kuwari said, "While we enter the second year of Tarsheed, we stress that its objectives go in line with the celebration of 2013 as the International Year of Water Cooperation. It addresses all segments of the society and calls for effective participation in its programmes. The campaign is an opportunity to stop irrational use to maintain our resources."

Kahramaa launched Tarsheed in April under the patronage of the Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad AlThani.

© The Peninsula 2013