Sustainable Development Goal 06 strives to provide clean water and sanitation to all people around the world, regardless of their gender or nationality. During the Global Peace and Sustainable Development Summit 2023, Dr Anjum Nazir Qureshi spoke about the importance of saving and conserving water, stating that "life is not possible without water." Speakers from various countries participated in the conference.
Dr Qureshi emphasized the need to analyze the reasons for water scarcity and take measures to overcome this challenge. Although many parts of India face floods during the rainy season, water scarcity remains a prevalent issue. Studies predict that by 2030, the demand for water in India will surpass the available supply.
Globally, approximately 1.1 billion people lack access to water, while 2.7 billion face water scarcity for one month every year. Misuse and wastage of water, groundwater extraction, and pollution of water bodies are some of the reasons for this crisis.
To tackle this issue, efforts should be made to raise awareness among people about various techniques for saving and conserving water. The Indian government's National Water Mission's "Catch the Rain" initiative is a prominent example of such efforts. This campaign focuses on saving and conserving rainwater, with the participation of youth clubs in rural and urban areas.
Saving and conserving water are two distinct concepts. Saving water involves changing habits and using water judiciously, such as fixing leaking taps, avoiding the unnecessary flow of taps, and avoiding showers while bathing. On the other hand, water conservation involves adopting practices like rainwater harvesting, soak pits, small dams, sensor-based taps, insulated taps, and efficient irrigation technology. These practices can help to reduce water wastage and improve irrigation facilities.
Rainwater harvesting is an effective technique that involves collecting rainwater from rooftops, hill slopes, and rocky surfaces. The collected water can be filtered and stored for future use, increasing soil fertility and groundwater recharge. Soak pits and check dams are other low-cost methods used for discharging wastewater and retaining excess water flow during the monsoon season.
To ensure safe drinking water for everyone globally by 2030, efforts must be made to accelerate awareness of saving and conserving water. It is essential to understand the value of water and learn to save, conserve, and think before wasting it.
Article Courtesy:
Dr Anjum Qureshi, Assistant Professor, Rajiv Gandhi College of Engineering Research & Technology, Chandrapur
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