World Water Day 2019: Save Water, Save Future!!

There are many people who still leave the tap open while brushing their teeth or while taking bath but it is high time that we all stop such practices as our country is facing its worst-ever water crisis.

Today on World Water Day (22 March), let’s take a pledge not to waste water anymore and save the country and entire world from the crisis. According to NITI Aayog’s recent report, around 600 million people are facing severe water shortage. The government think-tank report that draws on data from 24 states of India said the water crisis in the country will become worse in the coming years. Hence, every drop of water counts.

World Water Day is observed every year on 22^nd March with the aim of increasing awareness among people about the significance, need & conservation of water. The focus of the day is on worldwide access to fresh/clean water, hygiene and sanitation (WASH) in line with the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 6.

In the year 1992, 22^nd March was officially added in the schedule 21 of UN Conference on Environment & Development as the ‘World Water Day’ in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In 1993, the 1st World Water Day was celebrated.

What is the theme of World Water Day 2019?

• The theme for this year’s World Water Day is ‘Leaving no one behind’, which is an adaptation of the UN’s central pledge of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that says everybody should benefit.

• The slogan of the theme is to help provide access to safe water to every person, ‘whoever you are, wherever you are; water is your human right.’

What is the main problem?

The problem nowadays is that there are many people who are still living without clean water. Marginalized groups that include children, women, refugees, disabled people, indigenous peoples etc. are often ignored and at times face discrimination, as they try to access & manage clean water they need. This year, World Water Day intends to deal with the water crisis by addressing the reasons why so many people are still left behind.

What should be done?

If we want to ‘leave no one behind’ then we need to focus our efforts towards incorporating people who have been ignored or marginalized. Water services must meet the requirements of marginalized groups & their voices must be heard in decision-making processes. Regulatory & legal frameworks ought to identify the right to water for all people, and adequate funding must be fairly and efficiently targeted at those who need it the most.

Few tips to save water

• After washing fruits or vegetables, you can use the same water for the plants.

• Drained water from RO filters at home can be utilized for cleaning the floor or watering plants.

• You can also trap rainwater by installing Rain Water Harvesting systems at home, locality & deal with water shortage.

• While brushing the teeth make sure you do not leave taps open. Be careful and do not spill water.

• If you find anyone wasting water just ask him or her to stop it.