MESSAGE BY DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES

MR. THEODORE E. JAMES

ON THE OCCASION OF

WORLD WATER DAY OBSERVED UNDER THEME

“GROUNDWATER:MAKING THE INVISIBLE VISIBLE”

FRIDAY, MARCH 22ND, 2024

World Water Day is an important global event highlighting water's crucial role and the need to protect this valuable resource. This year's theme, "Groundwater: Making the Invisible Visible," brings attention to an often overlooked aspect of our water supply.

Groundwater is a hidden but essential resource that provides drinking water for billions of people worldwide, supports agriculture, industry, and ecosystems, and buffers against droughts and water scarcity.

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries is vital in promoting sustainable water management practices, including protecting and preserving groundwater resources. Groundwater is essential in the Virgin Islands, where freshwater sources are limited and vulnerable to contamination.

As part of the Government's commitment to ensure water is available and sustainably managed, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries will raise awareness about the importance of groundwater, implement measures to monitor and conserve groundwater levels and promote sustainable agricultural practices that minimise water use and pollution.

By focusing on making groundwater visible, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries can help ensure the long-term sustainability of water resources in the Virgin Islands. This includes educating farmers and the public about the importance of groundwater, implementing policies and regulations to protect aquifers from pollution and depletion, and supporting research and monitoring efforts to understand better and manage groundwater resources.

As we celebrate World Water Day on 22^nd March 2024, let us recognise groundwater's critical role in sustaining life, supporting ecosystems, and driving economic development. By making the invisible visible and taking collective action to protect and preserve this precious resource, we can ensure a sustainable water future for generations to come.