New Delhi, July 8 - Water security was a key area in the government's national action plan on climate change, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said Wednesday and described the drying up of natural lakes across the country as a 'matter of serious concern'.

The minister of state with independent charge of environment however said his ministry faced a 'problem of resources' and suggested that the issue could be more aggressively addressed if the water resources ministry joined hands with him.

Replying to queries from members during question hour in the Lok Sabha, Jairam Ramesh said: 'The drying up of lakes is a matter of serious concern and water security is a key area in the national action plan on climate change.'

This was a serious issue not just for aesthetic and environmental reasons but also from the point of view of drinking water, he added.

Earlier, Janata Dal-United leader and National Democratic Alliance convenor Sharad Yadav said the government should accord top priority to the issue of drying up of natural lakes.