Tral resident recognized for exceptional dedication to water conservation initiatives
Pampore: Ruhail Maqbool Sheikh, a resident of Tral in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, received acclaim as a “water warrior” at the 4th Edition of Jal Prahari Samman Samaroh held in New Delhi on December 13. The event, organized by Sarkaritel with the support of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, acknowledged and applauded Ruhail’s exceptional contributions to water conservation, management, research, and water quality.
The ceremony, held at New Maharashtra Sadan, KG Marg, New Delhi, recognized Ruhail Maqbool Sheikh’s remarkable efforts, and he was felicitated for his outstanding contributions. Expressing gratitude, Ruhail Maqbool Sheikh, a Water Quality Analyst, extended his thanks to Sarkaritel and the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti for acknowledging his work. He emphasized that this honor serves as motivation, encouraging him to dedicate himself even more fervently to water quality, research, management, and conservation.
Ruhail has consistently earned recognition for his initiatives and efforts in water conservation. In December 2021, he received the ‘National Water Hero Award’ from the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India. He has also been honored at the district and union territory levels for his outstanding performance and noteworthy endeavors in raising awareness about water conservation, water quality, and management within various communities.
The event showcased three insightful panel discussions addressing critical topics, including COP28 & Water Partnership for Sustainable Development Goals, Harnessing Digital Technology for Integrated Water Resources Management/River Rejuvenation, and Flood, Drought, and Climate Change Mitigation. Esteemed government officials and experts in water conservation actively participated in these discussions, which were succeeded by an Ambassadors session.
The Ambassadors session saw the engagement of distinguished global personalities, including H.E. Freddy Svane, Ambassador of Denmark to India; H.E. Mr. Lukmon Bobokalonzoda, Ambassador of Tajikistan to India; H.E. Reuben Gauci, High Commissioner of Malta to India; and H.E. Aziz Baratov, Chargé d’affaires, Embassy of Uzbekistan in India.
Speaking to Kashmir Reader, Ruhail Maqbool Sheikh shared his journey and contributions, highlighting his research work on the Jhelum River, Dal Lake, and ground-level quality assessment in Pulwama district.
“I have been recognized as a National Water Hero by the Government of India in December 2021 under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. Following this recognition, I have received appreciation awards at the UT (Union Territory) level as the best participant, and similarly at the district level. I received the second award at the national level last week, the Jal Prahari Samman award, during a function in New Delhi at Maharashtra Sadan. This award ceremony honored individuals from across the country, with a total of 32 awards presented to top-ranking officers, including those from the Indian Revenue Service (IRS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Forest Service (IFS), and others,” he said.
He added, “In this grand award ceremony, I was exclusively selected for this award from Jammu and Kashmir. The nationwide panel had initially chosen 32 individuals for this prestigious award, and from J&K, I was the chosen recipient.”
Ruhail has been actively engaged in research work, particularly focusing on the Jhelum River. His international publications cover extensive work on the Jhelum River, spanning from Varinag to Srinagar. Additionally, he has conducted research on Dal Lake and is involved in the ground-level quality assessment of Pulwama district. His research work extends to various spring and surface sources, especially in specific areas.
“I have provided training and conducted awareness programs, particularly focusing on water resources. I have actively worked to clean and improve water resources, taking various initiatives. One significant initiative involves motivating locals, especially those in villages and tribal communities, to adopt environmentally friendly practices. This includes avoiding the use of polythene and refraining from polluting water bodies by not disposing of polythene in their surroundings. Additionally, I have organized cleanliness drives in multiple areas to clean and preserve water bodies,” he added.