“Jal Hai To Kal Hai” There is no ambiguity in this powerful line but, Are we having enough access to water for present and future generation? The answer is NO, even though the world has 7 biggest oceans, millions of rivers and lakes there is not enough water for everyone. One in three people struggles to get safe drinking water and by the year 2025, more countries will have water-scarce areas. United Nations highlighted this crucial issue on World Water Day.
World Water Day 2021
via: outlookindia
It is a global event celebrated worldwide with the aim to highlight the importance of water resources and ways to prevent them so that everyone has access to safe water. The beginning of this global event happened in 1993 when the UNGA adopted a resolution highlighting the importance of freshwater proposed in Agenda 21. Every year UN comes with a theme to work in line with the sustainable development goals. This year’s theme is “Valuing Water.”
In a virtual meeting today, the UN released a report on water development with all the member countries. The aim was to guide how they can deal with the water scarcity in their country. And, not just the state leaders, the UN wants every individual to participate in this vital digital discussion.
Thus it is encouraging the public to participate via social media. You can participate with hashtags- #WorldWaterDay #Water2me and tell what does water means to you.
According to a report by UNICEF, if we keep wasting water in the way we’re wasting today, there will be no water by 2040! Let’s take steps to conserve water to conserve life.#𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝟐𝐦𝐞#M3MFoundation #M3MCares #SaveWater #ValuingWater #WorldWaterDay #WorldWaterDay2021 pic.twitter.com/50MSfqiOZe
— M3M Foundation (@M3MFoundation) March 22, 2021
‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan’ In India on World Water Day
India has always worked at the forefront when it comes to deal with global issues whether covid-19 or the water crisis. Understanding the utmost need of saving water, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a campaign named ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch The Rain’ in 734 districts across the nation.
This #WorldWaterDay, let’s pledge to take action and #savewater to ensure water security for all!#Water2Me #WaterIsLife #WorldWaterDay2021 @MOFA_Taiwan @MPWangTingyu @wef @MoJSDoWRRDGR @JalShaktiAbhyan @CulturalTaiwan pic.twitter.com/F87T2AWNPT
— Invest India – Taiwan (投資印度 – 臺灣) (@InvestIndiaTPE) March 22, 2021
The main aim of this flagship campaign is to focus on rainwater harvesting to improve the condition of water-scarce areas. For this, several initiatives will be taken during the campaign. It will start before the onset of the monsoon and will continue till 30th November.
The country has got the status of receiving one of the highest rainfalls in the world. Only 20 percent of the water is conserved. If most of the rainwater is tapped then India can reduce the water-scarce areas. Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan are the two most water-stressed among all.
1.3 billion Peoples of India have only access to 4 percent of the total freshwater available in the world. This took the country’s position down on the water stress index. According to the NITI Aayog report 2020, 20 Indian cities will suffer from groundwater scarcity by 2030.
Bihar Celebrating Bihar Diwas With ‘Jal Jeevan Hariyali’
The conditions are no different from river-rich state Bihar. The state is celebrating its foundation day today with the theme ‘Jal Jeevan Hariyali.’ The theme is apt to highlight this sensitive issue for which improper rain-harvesting is one of the causes.
First River Interlinking Project
To address this issue, the government is implementing river linking projects to divert the water of major rivers to areas with less water availability. The Ken-Betwa link between UP and MP is the first such initiative.
via:SANDRP
Both the state governments will sign an MOA with Jal Shakti Ministry today to begin the interlinking project.