Er. P K Nanda
The World Water Day like every important day is celebrated every year on 22nd March and this year Theme Topic is. “Water for Peace” which emphasises the integral role which water plays in encouraging the Global peace and Sustainable development. It is also a promise of 2040 agenda so as to benefit everyone. The Theme – Water For Peace, is directly proportion to each other. i.e Sufficient water ,Lot of peace.
The water plays an important role in building world’s economy and as per statistics available. 70 percent of fresh water is used for agriculture sector. Broadly 71 percent of earth surface is covered with water, out of which only 1 percent to 1.5 percent clean water is available. It has been observed by the experts that by the end of 2030 half of world population will face the water problem. The Theme -Water For Peace, is directly proportional to each other as peace in the subcontinent depends upon the availability of sufficient safe water. The peace on account of water can be maintained only if this precious resource is cared and valued for.
World Water Day-2024
Today the world is grappling with conflicts exacerbated by water scarcity, pollution and unequal access. This Theme calls for revaluation of our approach to water resources. Water scarcity often leads to competition and disputes among communities and nations, making it imperative to recognize water as a potential catalyst for Peace building amongst Nations. Moreover the climate change impacts the Global population; we must unite in protecting and conserving our most precious Natural Resource.
Today when the sources are depleting and demand is increasing, It becomes the duty of every community to work for the conservation of precious water resource which has been valued for maintaining peace. Thus by working together to balance human rights and needs, water can be a stabilising force and a catalyst for achieving Sustainable Development Goals. The Theme i.e water for Peace accentuates the need for cooperative efforts to manage and distribute water resources equitably.
All of us have advocated no of times regarding proper conservation of water. But every time this has remained only a lip service. We forget the problem after discussions in our country including Jammu also where as in other countries, the rulers, Planners and Administrators are deliberating on this topic in shape of Rallies thus committing themselves to improve upon every year.
The major activity affecting the water problem is wastage of water whether it is drinking, irrigation or watershed Management. The consumer does not care for the wastage of water at all at present and shall only come to know its effects after two to three decades when there would be a war on water. It is assured that the next war would only be on water and nothing else.
Everyday can be celebrated as Water Conservation Day. As all of us know that water resource is available on earth from different sources like Rivers, Tube wells, springs and Bollies. The rivers were preferred as the source of water right from the early civilization.
Now coming back to Jammu, it is most pertinent to mention that the main source of drinking water for core area of Jammu city in addition to Tube Wells is river Tawi i.e. Existing Filtration Plants on its right bank at Sitlee at Nagrota and at Boria from left bank . The water being supplied at our door steps is chemically treated and which is a costly affair and it should be cared. Consumer should not be under this impression that the water being supplied is free of cost. (One must care and value the water).
Harvesting of Rain Water
This issue of harvesting of rain water has been deliberated for lot many times by our engineers. Means of harvesting rain water at individual house hold levels have been discussed in order to utilize the Rain Water which otherwise gets wasted. This water stored by harvesting rain; can be used for all purposes other than drinking. It is proposed that the Govt. at both the Centre and State level should launch such schemes on subsidy basis so that the general public of Rural areas can avail benefits of this scheme. The Govt. should also make rain water harvesting mandatory for every new construction in urban/rural areas.
In addition to housing construction it should also be made mandatory for the upcoming Govt. buildings. This shall minimize the wastage of runoff water and also cadre to the demands.
The next important area where water is wasted is the industrial sector. The huge quantity of water after production goes into the drain and is wasted. Every industry owner should value the water and have a small filtration plant to recycle the waste water within the complex itself. This type of schemes will make every industry independent of the water supply and ultimately reducing the pressure on water utility in general and ground water source in particular.
Moreover the water storage concept in Urban as well as in rural areas also needs a modification. Now the time has come to value the water. The ages old concept that the water stored is not pure and needs to be replaced next day with fresh water needs to be dispensed with. Huge wastage can be checked by proper awareness among the masses for not throwing the day old water but rather use it for purposes other than drinking.
In the Irrigation sector there is over use of water than the requirement i.e. the irrigation system is designed for a fixed discharge for fixed command area but the discharge supplied in canal is over utilized up to the 60percent area. Suppose the system is designed for 200 acres, it only irrigates 100 acres of land with designed discharge provided and as such rest of the farmers are deprived of irrigation facilities. The excessive water keeps on flowing in the fields which goes into the nearby drains as waste water. It is because of the lust to have more water without realizing the value of water with its repercussions i.e. spoiling of the top soil. The farmers needs to be made aware on this account regarding wastage of water and damage to the soil.
So it is proposed that the farmers at the tail end can be accommodated by providing them with Solar power water pumps so that the waste water flowing in drains is lifted and used for irrigation purpose.
Now to achieve the desired goal that no one should be left behind as regard to providing of safe drinking water. It becomes the responsibility of every individual to come forward and coordinate with the neighbours/citizens for creating awareness among General masses regarding the benefits of judicious use of drinking water and to value this resource. Until or unless we understand the value of water we cannot conserve it.
The water can be saved only if the supplies to every individual house is metered and charged accordingly as per the consumption. So that the consumer/every individual knows the value of water.
The World water Day 2024 serves as a platform to inspire individuals, communities and Governments to prioritize water as a tool for peace, which focuses on the critical role water plays in ensuring stability and prosperity of the world .Thus by intricate connection between water, social stability and Economic development, the communities can work together to ensure that water resource becomes a source of cooperation rather than contention
At the end it is once again requested to general masses to use this most precious life saving water resource judiciously, so that the wastage of water is avoided and surroundings are kept healthy. The water can also be saved by adopting the simple ways at our houses.
* Taking bath by using shower.
* Using mug and bucket for washing utensils and cars.
* Using Mug and bucket for brushing teeth and shaving.
* Close the tap – not in use.
*Reuse the used water to clean fruits and vegetables, also to water the plants.
(The author is FIE, MIWWA, MIAH MIIPA)
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