New Delhi, May 11 (IANS): Rajya Sabha member Bhupinder Singh of the BJD on Wednesday urged the government to form a national policy on ground water.

Raising the issue during zero hour, Bhupinder Singh said: "It is said that the third world war will be on water. But you can already see that there is a war on water and river linking.

"The ground water level is depleting. The biggest problem in the coming days will be water. In 2030, we may have to import water," the Biju Janata Dal member warned.

The government should form a committee, consult states and form a national policy, he said.

He said the theory that coastal areas may not face the same problem was not true.

"Even in Odisha tube wells have dried up and saline water has started coming instead."

Singh suggested that plantation should be made compulsory in schools and colleges and farmers engaged in organic farming should be encouraged.

Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien lauded the member for his suggestions and said the "entire house" supported him.