I started my internship at Jal Bhagirathi Foundation yesterday, i.e.,World Environment Day. Based in my hometown Jodhpur, it is an NGO owned by His Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh Ji, that works primarily to secure basic water supply to western rural households who constantly suffer shortage of clean drinking water. The NGO also seeks to involve more women in the decision making process, improve sanitation and promote sustainable use of water.
Water is becoming more precious by the minute, as population continues to grow multi-fold. Fresh water resources and ground water levels are depleting rapidly and we still do not have an efficient and cheap mechanism to make use of the abounding saline water of the oceans. Moreover, certain ill practices of citizens and industries are also polluting the scarce amount that we have. Hence, water conservation is the most important issue to deal with in regard to challenges to climate.
Urban lifestyles lead to more wastage of water than rural routines. Since there is paucity, people in the villages respect the resource and use it sparingly. In many villages of western rural Rajasthan, water sources like lakes are even worshiped. They barely use a bucket full of water for bathing and washing and even that waste water is directed in a manner that helps little plants near homes to grow. They do not use fancy showers/ bath tubs, they don't use water indiscriminately to wash their vehicles or porches, et al.
Also, they are the ones who actually practice rainwater harvesting by storing rainwater in kachcha tankas. Many villages are now accepting the idea of having concrete tankas (Jal Bhagirathi is assissting many households in this project) to store rainwater that can be used throughout the year. They also utilize the water from naadis and beris for cattle.
In sharp contrast to this, the urban lifestyle is a killer. So much water is wasted in frilly fountains; so much in pools, which is sometimes not even clean; pipes are left open for hours in gardens, gallons of water just goes into the drain unnecessarily when houses and cars are cleaned and what not.
Intellectual discussion on water conservation is restricted to impressive theory on paper and sadly no concrete steps are taken in the cities.
Notable in this field is Mr. Rajendra Singh from Alwar, Rajasthan , who is known for his techniques of and contributions to water conservation. He was also awarded the Stockholm Water Prize (Nobel prize for water) and is known as the Waterman of India.
Several NGOs and the government are taking steps to provide us with regular water supply but until we as citizens don't change our habits, nothing is going to make a difference. It appears to be a lot, but even if you save half a bucket of water in a day, it can reduce your total consumption of a year phenomenally.
Water is becoming more precious by the minute, as population continues to grow multi-fold. Fresh water resources and ground water levels are depleting rapidly and we still do not have an efficient and cheap mechanism to make use of the abounding saline water of the oceans. Moreover, certain ill practices of citizens and industries are also polluting the scarce amount that we have. Hence, water conservation is the most important issue to deal with in regard to challenges to climate.
Urban lifestyles lead to more wastage of water than rural routines. Since there is paucity, people in the villages respect the resource and use it sparingly. In many villages of western rural Rajasthan, water sources like lakes are even worshiped. They barely use a bucket full of water for bathing and washing and even that waste water is directed in a manner that helps little plants near homes to grow. They do not use fancy showers/ bath tubs, they don't use water indiscriminately to wash their vehicles or porches, et al.Also, they are the ones who actually practice rainwater harvesting by storing rainwater in kachcha tankas. Many villages are now accepting the idea of having concrete tankas (Jal Bhagirathi is assissting many households in this project) to store rainwater that can be used throughout the year. They also utilize the water from naadis and beris for cattle.
In sharp contrast to this, the urban lifestyle is a killer. So much water is wasted in frilly fountains; so much in pools, which is sometimes not even clean; pipes are left open for hours in gardens, gallons of water just goes into the drain unnecessarily when houses and cars are cleaned and what not.
Intellectual discussion on water conservation is restricted to impressive theory on paper and sadly no concrete steps are taken in the cities.
Notable in this field is Mr. Rajendra Singh from Alwar, Rajasthan , who is known for his techniques of and contributions to water conservation. He was also awarded the Stockholm Water Prize (Nobel prize for water) and is known as the Waterman of India.
Several NGOs and the government are taking steps to provide us with regular water supply but until we as citizens don't change our habits, nothing is going to make a difference. It appears to be a lot, but even if you save half a bucket of water in a day, it can reduce your total consumption of a year phenomenally.
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