A 34-year-old young researcher from south Kashmir is committed to championing water conservation initiatives and fostering a collective consciousness.
Sheikh Ruhail Maqbool from main town Tral in Pulwama district has taken different initiatives that encourage locals to embrace eco-friendly practices for which he has recently received the Jal Phahari Samman Award at Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi
Speaking with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Ruhail said he received his first award from the Ministry of Jal Shakti in 2021 as ‘National Water Hero’ for “praiseworthy efforts” in water conservation management and water quality.
Ruhail said that for the last several years, he has been organising awareness programmes in different areas to sensitise people about the importance of water and the need to maintain its quality.
“I have also been working to clean the water bodies besides motivating people of the tribal community about the need for water conservation,” he said, adding that he has been working on rainwater harvesting and grey water management besides researching about river Jhelum and Dal Lake along groundwater management.
Sheikh claimed that besides having international publications, he has received over 60 national and international certificates for efforts on water conservation including a certificate from the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Ruhail who has a Masters in Environmental and Occupational Health, a PG in Analytical Chemistry, an MBA in Human Resource Management and a 3-year diploma in computer sciences said he received the Jal Phahari Samman (National Water Warrior Award) on December 13 2023.
This prestigious event was organized by Sarkaritel with the support of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, in collaboration with UNOPS, National Jal Jeevan Mission, National Water Mission, CEEW, German GiZ, and NIUA as Knowledge Partners.
He said that over 32 water conservators mainly IAS, IRS and IFS from across the country were felicitated with the esteemed Jal Prahari honour to acknowledge the tremendous efforts that they have put in over the years.
Expressing gratitude to Sarkaritel and the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti for recognising his work, Ruhail said the honour will encourage him to work with more zeal for water quality, research, management and conservation.
Sheikh has been awarded consecutively for the past many years in recognition of his initiatives and extraordinary efforts taken by him in varied spheres.
He has also received many district-level and UT-level awards from the Jal Jeevan Mission J&K and general administration for his “extraordinary performance” and “praiseworthy efforts” to spread awareness on water conservation quality, water quality, management and awareness among various tribal and rural communities including schools, health centres, etc.
Ruhail said climate change and deteriorating water quality are the main issues across the globe and there is more and more need to create awareness and make efforts to save the environment otherwise its repercussions will be very bad—(KNO)