World Water Day

இந்தியாவில் ஆறு கோடி மக்களுக்கு சுத்தமான குடிநீர் இல்லை 

World #Water Day – March 22

World Water Day has been observed since the year 1993 when the United Nations General Assembly declared 22 March as "World Day for Water”. Still surprisingly the World Water Day is not as popular as the Valentine Day! 

Clean water and access to food are some of the simplest things that we can take for granted each and every day. In places like Africa, these can be some of the hardest resources to attain if you live in a rural area. Slowly other continents too go the African way as far as access to clean water! In spite of all scientific developments in all areas we are still unable to solve water shortage.

The United States of America and the European countries certify that India is on the fast track of progress. Many rockets India lounged have reached the Moon and the Mars. Still India faces the basic problem. There is acute water shortage in many Indian states: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. 

The successive state governments should have tried to solve the water shortage issues in their respective states; there might be everything; but if there is no enough water all programs for progress are futile. Indians can survive without internet and Google but not without sufficient water. If there is a strong determination all problems can be solved; firstly, prioritise to resolve basis issues like clean water, sanitation, food, primary education for all citizens and then endeavour whatever other luxuries the country can afford to have.

In Kerala rains are plenty. Kerala faces severe water scarcity between February and mid-May every year. Every year during the summer, there is drinking water shortage. In spite of 44 rivers and world's largest water well density, per capita surface water and groundwater availability of the state is lower than that of arid regions of waterless states of India. Sadly there is no effective water storage management in the state.

In the United Arab Emirates clean drinking water is so plentiful through sea water desalination plants. The charges are nominal. There are propaganda programs on preservation of water; to avoid misuse of water. The water bills indicate if there the use is excessive. There are two main sources of water in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi: Desalinated seawater and groundwater. While groundwater is used for agriculture in Al Ain and Liwa, drinking water is provided almost entirely from desalinated seawater across the Emirate. 

1.8 billion People around the world don't have access to safe water and 2.4 billion lack access to adequate sanitation. Women and children spend more than 4 hours walking for water each day, and more than 840,000 people die each year from water-related diseases.

Since ages, people across different regions of India, have experienced either excess or scarce water due to varied rainfall and land topography. Yet, they have managed to irrigate their agricultural fields using localized water harvesting methods. Their traditional ways, though less popular, are still in use and efficient.

In India 83% of available fresh water is used for agriculture. Rainfall being the primary source of fresh water, the concept behind conserving water is to harvest it when it falls and wherever it falls. The importance of storing rainwater through different techniques can be understood by an example of the desert city of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan which is water self-sufficient despite experiencing meagre rainfall as against Cherrapunji, which is blessed with the highest rainfall in the world, but still faces water shortage due to lack of water conservation methods.

Since ages, people across different regions of India, have experienced either excess or scarce water due to varied rainfall and land topography. Yet, they have managed to irrigate their agricultural fields using localized water harvesting methods!

India's water crisis is often attributed to lack of government planning, increased corporate privatization, industrial and human waste and governmental corruption. In addition, water scarcity in India is expected to worsen as the overall population is expected to increase to 1.6 billion by year 2050. On this World Water Day – March 22 let us stand up and take an oath loudly to preserve water for our future generations.

Thanks to P.Rajagopal