news details |
|
|
| Water conservation - a key for overall development | | | By V.K Magotra | 3/21/2015 11:51:46 PM |
| (Former Media officer of Ministry of I&B)
Water is not a com
mercial product like
any other, but rather, a heritage which must be protected, defended & treated as such" --------- T.R Narismhan
Today is a world water day. 22nd of March every year has been observed World Water Day officially by the United Nations General Assembly since 1993. Each year the theme is selected to focus the attention on importance of fresh water with special emphasis to the mankind. The scarcity of water, depletion of natural resources of water, degradation of forests, population explosion etc., continue to play a vital role in survival / overall development of mankind. All out efforts are being made for conservation of water resources by the stakeholders, civil society, social workers, NGOs etc., but vigorous endeavors are needed to achieve the noble cause by all those who are deeply concerned with this burning issue. "Water is our planet most important feature. It is only natural substance found on earth that exist in all three states liquid, solid (ice) and gas (water vapour). A simple combination of hydrogen and oxygen, water is probably common throughout the universe, but mainly in arms of ice or water vapour. Both of these are known to occur throughout the solar system, but liquid water seems to be very rear because it can exist only at limited temperature range . This liquid water is vital to all living organism, from simplest micro to most complex animal, so it is fundamental to the existence of the whole web of life, humanity and civilization. Without water earth would be a sterile ball of rock." --- according to John Woodward The problem of ground water crises is no less acute. Over extraction, misuse and illegal "water mining" have combined with other factors to push the water table very low. Globally current withdrawal of about 4500 cubic kms water exceeds the availability of about 4200 cubic kms. By 2030 , the demand is expected to increase to about 6900 cubic kms with slight drop in availability. Thus by 2030 a global deficit of water is forecasted as 40 %. For India, the annual demand is expected to increase to almost 1500 cubic kms against a projected availability of 744 cubic kms; a deficit of 50 %. As per estimate by 2050 the water demand will increase sevenfold, as compared to 1997.India has 16 % of world population, accommodated in 2.45% of the world land area. The total water resources available to India are 4% of the world resources. The average annual precipitation is about 1170 mm and land area of 3.28 million sq. kms. contributes 4000 trillion liters of fresh water or 3840 cubic kms. Status of water on Earth
Most of the water on earth is salty water. Only small proportion is fresh water and most of that is either frozen, or lying deep underground. Of the rest, two third is contained in freshwater lakes and wetland, with far less in rivers. Almost ten percent is in the form of atmospheric water vapour or clouds. The percentage wise is given as :-1.Ocean water - 97%, 2.Fresh water - 3%
This 3% fresh water is available in the lakes ( 67 %) , river (2%), soil moisture (12%),wet land (9%),atmosphere (9%),plants & animals (1%)
NATIONAL RURAL DRINKING WATER PROGRAMME - J&K SCENARIO
¢ 1391.24 crores incurred on providing drinking water in the state
¢ 644 water supply schemes completed benefiting 25.82 lac Rural Population living in 3507 habitations
¢ 5331 Rural schools provided with Drinking water
¢ 7615 hand pumps grilled
¢ 23 quality affected habitations with contamination provided safe drinking water by carrying out necessary measures
¢ 48 district/sub-divisional water quality labs constructed
¢ 30304 number of persons trained on monitor water quality field test kits
¢ 222 sustainability structures constructed
Irrigation and Flood Control Sector
¢ The ceiling under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) got enhanced from Rs 421 crore to Rs 598.00 crores.
¢ Tral lift Irrigation scheme completed by 31-3-2014 by which 6000 hectts provided irrigation facilities.
¢ Rajpora Lift Irrigation Scheme completed by 31-3-2014 by which 1620 hectts provided irrigation facilities.
¢ The project report for River Jhelum costing Rs 2200.00 crores submitted to GOI, against which Rs 97.00 crore have been approved abd released for urgent Flood works of River Jhelum,.
¢ Administrative approval for construction of balance portion of main Ravi canal from satwain upto Basantpur for Rs 275.41 crores accorded abd tendering process initiated.
¢ The Barrage on River Tawi in Jammu city is under construction.
(Achievements upto 2012-13)
The sanctity of water
In all the religions water has been enamoured the status of God or Demigod and is given religious sanctity as none of the religion ceremony can be completed without the use of water i.e taking a bath, wash -up, baptizing ceremony, Kumbh puja ( Eartern pot full of water) and water is given as charity on many occasions. The seas, river, lakes ,fountains ,ponds & Bullies etc. have been given the symbol of purity .The famous one are the river Ganga, Zum Zum water at Makka , Golden temple Sarovar , Tulmula spring at Kheer Bhawani etc .The water of such places are used for religious ceremonies, washing of sins and cure to illness. The religions of the world have well defined in their holy books the preservation of water &other natural resources for betterment & the survival of living beings from generation to generation. The efforts need to require translating these holy teachings and preaching in to realities by way of churning the minds of people towards the practicability of these things for the survival of humanity on this earth. This indicates that the religions had played a vital role in the preservation and conservation of water and in future its role will be vital and of prime importance. At present the biggest need for the survival of life on the planet is to conserve water. World Water day is primarily devoted to implement United Nations recommendations on clean drinking water, sustain safe drinking water facilities, conservation of water, sustaining fresh water bodies and to promote concrete activities within the countries regarding the world's fresh water resources. International World Water Day tries to remind people about the significance of fresh water and to promote sustainability for fresh water resources. Organizations all around the world use World Water day to promote awareness about clean water and sustainable aquatic habitats. Also as a day to focus public attention on the critical water issues of the present era. Moving towards Indian scenario, the country receives abundant amount of rain, but unavoidable factors like increase in population, are among the main reasons of water scarcity to the country. A large number of water bodies local ponds, lakes, rivers and reservoirs get polluted and depleted. At present a considerable amount of water of the country's population lack access to safe drinking water. Also, Indian agriculture is rain fed. The goals and success of agriculture in India are based on availability of water, mostly rain water. Good amount of rain means a good crop harvest. Preserving rain water is must and ensuring that almost no toxic material present should get mixed with rain water, which can eventually pollute it as well as the water body in which it eventually flows. In the light of the above, it is a general understanding that, there is a need of water conservation in the country and the major issues with regard to water usage should be taken up on priority basis .Each year, The World Water Day highlights on a different aspect of freshwater. This year the theme of the World Water Day is "Water and Sustainable Development". The day reminds us about the significance of fresh water and to promote sustainability for fresh water resources management
Conservation - need of the hour
The situation which has emerged overall the world and particularly in our country .It is perceived that the best way to combat this situation is to follow the conservation approach as it is well said that "preservation is better than cure ".This need to be done with the use of modern science and technology and the infrastructure available such as ICT (Information communication technology) tools. The conservation practices can only be successful if the gravity of situation is made to understand to the people of all walks of life especially the elite one, who are using water profusely and perfunctorily without paying any heed to the problem being faced by others and the catastrophe in waiting. Somebody has righty said that the next war will be on water. Let us understand the gravity of situation and act sincerely and promptly to save the humanity from the colossal catastrophe.
To sum up I am reminded of few lines of a song written by famous writer Mr.M.L Dogra
" JAL HE JEEVAN, JAL HE JEEVAN, JAL HE JEEVAN HA!
JEEVAN HE JAL, JEEVAN HE JAL, JAL HE JEEVAN HA…………….
Water is nectar of holy Ganga river, Zum Zum water of Makka, Golden temple Sarovar and comprising of five important components of Nature, let us resolve to make judicious use of water in our daily life which is indeed a key for sustainable development of mankind as strongly advocated in the theme of 2015 by the "United Nations". |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
STOCK UPDATE |
|
|
 |
| BSE
Sensex |
 |
| NSE
Nifty |
|
|
| |
CRICKET UPDATE |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
