Water Matters!The water sector in India has long been neglected and ignored but lately has been given great importance. And why not? Many states in India today have abundant supply of water, but how well is this resource used? If you come to think of it, the management of water today in the country has not lived up to its expectations.
For example, in states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka water is one resource over which fights have risen and have gone to such extent that river directions have now to be re-routed to specific states to satisfy water requirements. Although, this has been well debated even at several instances, how well is this water utilized? Of the total water available in the country, much of it has been used primarily for drinking, irrigation, household and industrial purposes. Drinking water today has been contaminated to such extent that MNC’s today s are so proud of selling products that speak about safe water for all. The health ministry launches several campaigns for people talking about drinking clean water and utilizing water efficiently, but is the ministry today taking attempts to ensure how well these campaigns are monitored.
The solution to all these problems lies with the efficient use of water and its proper management. Before each one starts taking potshots at each other, we have to look deep within our own households and organizations about what effective measures do we take to use water wisely. Recent statistics indicate that there is huge gap between the water supply and its water treatment. The result: Contaminated water getting discharged into the sea and risking the life of aqua marine creatures in addition to damaging flora and fauna. For us to improve our society we need to co-operate with the health authorities by ensuring the efficient use of water using various methods like rainwater harvesting, groundwater management and not simply keeping taps running waiting for monsoons and municipal water cuts. Industrial units and hospitals need to comply with strict measures of ensuring safe disposal of waste. Residential buildings should lead effective programs for their societies thus treating waste water in their premises reducing the burden of its treatment on municipal corporations. Several projects in the country have now been awarded contracts under JNNURM (Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission) to undertake safe disposal of waste water such that it doesn’t interfere with drinking water pipelines and keeps the society clean and safe. The World Bank has also awarded several millions of dollars for such projects and looks at India ahead than a developing country.
It’s time that we use water safely and allow organizations to participate in helping the society be one place where water reaches even those corners of the country at the most lowest prices. Just as we spend money on drinking clean water it’s also our priority to spend some part on its treatment
Let’s all strive to make a joint effort today for a better tomorrow…
(Written for the Deccan Chrnoicle, Hyderabad, India)
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