Water
– The Basis Of All Life On Earth
Water, this Shapeless,
Colourless, Odourless & Tasteless liquid created by God
is one of the most vital element of existence for all life
on Earth. It is recognized as the most precious natural resource
of the World. For sustenance, all life forms need clean water.
Although 70% of the Earth is water, fresh water is a scarce
resource. Freshwater ecosystems only cover roughly 1% of the
surface of the Earth. Conversion of salt water to fresh water
is difficult and costly. Of the 1% freshwater available about
73 percent, is used for agriculture, 20 percent for industry
and the rest for domestic and recreational needs.
Total usable supply of fresh water is over 4 million cubic
kilometers. Ground water makes up over 95 percent of Earth's
usable fresh water supplies. About 90 percent of the world's
population gets its water supplies from river basins. Two
or more countries share more than 200 rivers, and more than
40 percent of the worlds' population relies on water originating
in a country other than their own.
In the past two decades, the modern development and mismanagement
of water resources has resulted in huge water shortages. Water
crisis has had its impact not only on people but also on the
environment and other living things. Fish, birds and countless
living creatures are crowded out, marooned or poisoned as
industry and agriculture re-route rivers, dry up wetlands,
dump waste and otherwise disrupt natural ecosystems.
Asia is home to 60% of the world’s population, with only 36%
of the world’s freshwater resources. 80% of the global population
without access to improved sanitation lives in this continent.
Asia will have to cope with major urban challenges in the
next thirty years, since more than half its population is
expected to live in cities by 2025.
In India, the available fresh water from both the surface
and ground water is 115 million-hectare meters. Taking the
average of 1500 cu.m per year per person as the water need,
the population of India will fall in the category of water
stress. At present ground water caters to about fifty percent
of the irrigation requirements in our country. In addition,
about 80 percent of domestic and sizable portion of the industrial
requirements are also met from ground water.
Despite its availability, water is not evenly distributed
or used around the world. More than 1.2 billion people do
not have access to adequate and safe water supplies. The average
efficiency of irrigation systems is less than 40 percent.
More than 60 percent of the water delivered never reaches
the plant, or more than twice as much is delivered than is
necessary.
One of India's main environmental concerns is pollution -
pollution from agriculture, industry, from urban growth, and
from water development projects such as dams and reservoirs.
Contaminated water supply is the major cause of disease in
the developing countries. Human activities have had devastating
impacts on aquatic ecosystems - damaging fisheries, coral
reefs, wetlands and watersheds. Each year as many as four
million children die because they lack clean water and effective
sanitation. The amount of wastewater is expected to double
between 1980 and the year 2000. In 1993, the Ministry of Environment
and Forests had proposed a major plan to clean the extremely
polluted stretches of 13 major rivers in the country at a
cost of Rs.1,115 crores.
Water resource development and management is a fundamental
requirement in the developmental process. It influences economic
development, employment, agriculture, housing, health and
numerous other sectors. Everywhere development of water resources
takes place in a context of limited funds, competing priorities,
human resources and other institutional limitations, and social
and political systems that both shape it and determine its
eventual success.
Both fiscal and human/institutional resources are in short
supply in India. One of the most important sectors for development
has been the provision of potable water supplies, sanitation,
transportation, irrigation and power. Improvements in these
areas are essential to food security and to promoting health
for the general population. Major water supply and sanitation
facilities, especially those serving urban areas and economic
centers, form part of the national infrastructure like roads
and electricity. In rural areas improving water supplies is
intrinsic to community development.
Water is a critical element in sustaining ecosystems and bio-diversity.
Wetlands like lakes, ponds, etc. sustain one third of all
endangered and threatened species. Over 50 percent of the
world's wetlands have been lost or degraded through dams and
canal projects, agricultural development, urbanization, and
contamination.
What is to be done? How can we balance the many conflicting
interests involved in water allocation? How can we protect
the environment? How can we prevent waste and encourage behavior
that supports sustainable use of our water resources? How
can we provide an equitable distribution system? These are
some of the questions that require our immediate attention
for avoiding the impending crisis. |
