Moodabidri: The Yenepoya Institute of Technology (YIT), Moodabidri in association with APD Foundation and Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) celebrated World Water Day 2018 on March 22 at YIT campus.

Dr. Maheshwari Singh, Assistant Environmental Officer, KSPCB, Mangalore and Madhu S Manohar, Environmental Engineer, Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC), Mangalore inaugurated the event by planting a sapling.

Principal of YIT Rajesh G D’Souza and Bharat Raj of Bharat Corporation were present. Various competitions on the theme “Nature for Water” were conducted for students.

In his keynote address, Madhu Manohar said, “India has been getting highest rainfall and we have more than two thousand rivers. Still we hear of states fighting over water. Rather than preserving the water sources, our generation is misusing them. Bangalore city had 266 lakes in 1950s but now has only 33 or less and they too are getting polluted. We are selling water for Rs 20 to Rs 60 and even more, something which our previous generations would have laughed at. It is glaring that we see only water bottles and no water everywhere.”

He urged the students to invest their time and knowledge to develop technologies for rain water harvesting and water conservation.

Chief guest Dr. Maheshwari Singh said, “Our ancestors saw it (water) in rivers, we see it in wells and our future generation will have to see it their tears.” She advised the students regarding simple practices to save waste water.

Dr. Rajesh G D’Souza observed that the solutions to many problems the planet and environment face lay with the young engineers.

A short film made on water conservation by the students of YIT was screened at the venue.

Students from various departments participated in competitions conducted on the theme “Nature for Water.”