World Water Day – What We Can Do?

Water is one of the most important resources found on earth. All animals and plants require water to survive. Apart from drinking water to survive on this planet, there are many other uses that this resource is put to. In addition to helping to stabilize the climate and making the earth inhabitable, the presence of water is very important for the development of mankind, creation of jobs and social and economic growth.

While there are some that are lucky and enjoy continuous water supply in their lives, it is appalling to note that over 600 million people in the world do not have a supply of potable water close to where they live. They have to fetch water from places that are far away and also handle the negative impacts on health caused by using contaminated water sources.

With the World Water Day falling on March 22, the pertinent theme this year is all about using nature to content with the water challenges that the planet faces in the current century.

Water quality is seen to be affected by both humans as well as natural influences. In addition to climatic conditions, hydrological and geological influences also affect both the quantity and quality of water available on the planet. Additionally, the growth of human populations has triggered alterations of landscapes followed by degradation of vegetation and soil. This has further affected water quality in rivers and lakes. All these have led to the numerous water-related crises that are making it more difficult to make fresh water available to the people on the planet for their survival.

Water experts have figured out that nature has the best solutions to overcome these problems at the earliest. Building up a green infrastructure in place of concrete jungles is the way out, they point out. Creating forest spaces, restoring wetlands and connecting rivers to floodplains will all help to once again reinstate the lost balance that has given rise to the water problems that we currently face.

In the light of this situation, listed below are a few suggestions as to what you can do to contribute to the cause.

Water day Volunteering

It pays to find out which forum or organization is working towards sustainability of water resources and volunteer for them. Locally it could mean to help to plant urban forests and even fix leaky water taps in the neighbourhood.

Organize Group Projects

Like-minded people in your locality, employees in your office can work towards raising awareness at many levels. It could mean organizing workshops and talks in schools, organizing community planting sessions, spreading water conservation information through mass communication devices (mobiles, radio, etc.) and other similar activities.

Drive Awareness

It is important to create the awareness that nature can give the best solutions for the water problems that we face today. Small water saving challenges with attractive prices can be announced in the local communities, plant-a-tree campaigns can be encouraged in local schools, and volunteers can teach communities about the importance of forestation and maintaining proper wastewater systems.

Though it may be difficult for you to pull off large commercial campaigns to create this awareness, any small effort is good enough to pay positive dividends. Start-at-home water conservation efforts coupled with community forest planting and wastewater cleaning and management can be the starting points.

Write to us any other water conservation idea that you may have on this World Water Day.