P C Sharma
Jal hee jeevan hai is not merely a philosophical statement but a proven fact of life. We can not imagine any kind of life on the Earth planet sans availability of sufficient quantity of water. The mother nature has created the five quintessential elements in definite proportion that is Earth, water, air, space, fire, Mind it please, Any kind of disturbance or imbalance in the ratio of these elements caused due to indiscreet human activity is capable of playing havoc with the existence of kingdom of human beings, animals, birds, flora and fauna on the earth planet. Since the times immemorial the man who is considered to be the most enlightened amongst all the species has been pursuing his diverse exploits for incessant development and progress in harmony with the nature but with the passage of time so called progressive man has faltered and deflected himself away from his bounden moral filial obligation of maintaining harmonious relationship with Mother Nature resorting to his lopsided and superfluous developmental odyssey out of unrestrained greed and lust for material prosperity even at the cost of mental peace and spiritual blissfulness.
When a keen observer and a thinker ahead of his times had proclaimed ‘ water shall happen to be the proximate cause of third world war.’ He was dubbed as crazy and a war monger. But at this critical juncture, the prophesy appears to be logical and a sure bet for the next world war. Scarcity of water is slowly and steadily metamorphosing into an unmanageable global crisis. While turning the focus on impending water crisis in our country it will be brazenly childish to seek solace in the argument of it being a worldwide phenomenon . Our topography, socio – economic conditions , changed pattern of education , family upbringing , schooling , social temperament and behaviour , cultivated life values and top of all the system of governance are grossly at variance with other countries. Some of the globally recognized common factors allegedly responsible for creating this type of man induced natural calamity are generally enumerated as unusual rise in temperature(Global Warming) due to Green House Effect, decreasing underground water level , melting of glaciers adversely impacting the perennial flow of water. The scientists are recording gradual increase in the temperature of Earth Planet. As per expert opinion rising temperature will have to be checkmated at 1.5 degree and in case it rises beyond 2 degree the glaciers which are virtually the water towns in the Himalayas would melt down fast obstructing our perennial supply of water.
This is a burning problem which needs urgent attention. Indian Union Govt is already facing the heat. Almost ten states are irretrievably in the clutches of severe drought. This is a warning signal and a wakeup call. At the moment this is a huge challenge to the nation. Global factors shall be resolved through international cooperation and concerted efforts. But every self reliant nation shall have to take his own call by sensitising and involving the whole spectrum of masses.The Govt, NGOs, elected public representatives irrespective of party affiliation, all enlightened citizens and the general public must act in tandem and immediately address the specified issues on war footing to conquer the deadliest monster of water scarcity:-1. Harvesting of rain water on wider scale. The water so saved would be available for usage in the times of acute shortage and emergency. The concept has not gone viral and become people friendly. Launch full throttled awareness compaign with infrastructural support. 2.Lining of rivers. This may be a very useful project when executed and implemented to save the water deficient states from the scourge of drought. 3. Blanket ban on polythene bags and plastic products :- Uncontrolled use of these products is polluting and choking the rivers as well as other water bodies 4.Over use of water for UN planned industrial activity and lopsided urbanization:-These are major leakage points for over use and wastage of water. Self restraint together with strict laws and norms followed by wide spread awareness shall produce desired results. 5. Unscrupulous and unacceptable wastage of water in religious places:-There has been a mushroom growth of religious institutions in our country. It is a matter of faith. No one intervenes. Barring few well regulated and meticulously managed places the rest of them happen to be big source of wastage of water and electricity. This requires immediate attention and action at a lightning speed. 6.Check deforestation and accelerate afforestation on available vacant land:- Unreasonable decrease in forest cover has been instrumental in upsetting the Ecological Balance and adversely affecting the subsequent volume of Rain fall . 7.Revival of traditional water bodies in rural and semi urban areas:- In the new civic dispensation we have made ourselves dependent on mechanised supply of water to cater all our daily needs by discarding the ponds and other kind of small as well as big water bodies .This has also depleted the underground water table in certain areas. It is, therefore, indispensable to revive the traditional system.
Top of all General public awareness for economical use of water in the families, at their work places, places of worship and any other public place is highly imperative. Consumption of water has increased manifold in the modern households of ultra modern Indian people due to mechanised washing of excessive set of pairs of clothes, out sourcing of kitchen and house cleaning, car washing and unplanned gardening. Everyone has to take responsibility for plugging the wasteful leakages inside and outside the household for saving every pint of water otherwise we shall bequeath thirst and hunger to our upcoming generations. Hope we take the call.
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