Mangaluru, March 13: Dr Shailesh Nayak, Secretary- union department of earth sciences, inaugurated the three day international conference on water resources, coasts, and marine engineering, on Thursday March 12th, organized by the department of applied mechanics and hydraulics at National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Suratkal, here.
Addressing the gathered he said, the entire globe is facing water problems. We have to keep in mind the next 50 years while resolving the current issues. We have to conduct a thorough study, discuss on the advantages and disadvantages while linking the rivers to sort out the water problem.
He also said that as the mineral resources of several minerals like nickel and cobalt under surface of the earth is getting exhausted, the nations may have to go in for extracting minerals which are present deep under the oceans. To achieve it, new technical inventions are required.
Due to water scarcity, there is a concept of turning seawater into fresh water but water pollution needs to be controlled in order to maintain the quality of water. We need to maintain seashores clean. Releasing various chemicals into the surface water can cause adverse effects on human health which has to be checked, he said.
Dr Subba Rao welcomed the gathering. Prof Dwarakish delivered the introductory address.
The conference was presided over by Prof A Kandaswamy of NITK. Dr Usha Natesan, Professor, Centre for Water Resources- Anna University, Chennai, was the guest of honour.
