Governor Calls for Water Conservation Inspired by Bathukamma

Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla has urged people to protect nature and conserve water resources, drawing inspiration from the Bathukamma festival. He attended the Saddula Bathukamma celebrations at Hyderabad’s Tank Bund on Sunday as the chief guest. Addressing the gathering, the Governor described Bathukamma as a symbol of Telangana’s cultural heritage, women’s empowerment and the people’s reverence for nature. He appreciated the creativity and dedication of women in preserving the traditional festival across generations. Highlighting the growing importance of environmental protection amid weather phenomena such as El Niño, he said the state’s lower rainfall this year should be treated as a warning about potential water shortages. He urged people to adopt water-saving practices immediately rather than wait for a crisis to arise.

The Governor called for rainwater harvesting, the construction of recharge pits, the protection of lakes and the replenishment of groundwater. He emphasised that water conservation was not solely the government’s responsibility but a duty shared by every citizen. He also advised farmers to adapt their agricultural practices to available water resources and promote crops that require less water and are suited to local climatic conditions. Urging people to uphold the spirit of Bathukamma, he called for collective efforts to protect the environment and water resources and secure a safe, prosperous future for coming generations. He also extended Bathukamma, Navratri and Vijayadashami greetings to the people of Telangana, wishing happiness, peace and prosperity in every household.