Dr. Bilal A Bhat & Sabreena Bhat
Water is the essence of life on Earth. It is concentrated at the Earth’s surface so Earth is known as the “Blue Planet” because 71 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered with water. Water also exists below land surface and as water vapour in the air. It is a finite source which is vital for all known forms of life, even though it provides no calories or organicnutrients. Water is one of the most essential resource on earth and is the only substance occurring naturally in all three states (solid, liquid, gas) on the Earth’s surface. The chemical formula for water is H20 which is interpreted as 2 hydrogen atoms and oxygen in a ratio 2:1. All plants and animals need water to survive. There is no life on earth without water and life almost certainly originated in water. From conception to birth, a child is natured in a sac of water (amniotic) fluid) which protects and cushions the foetus against physical harm. The birth of a child is heralded by the “breaking of waters” after a child is fed on breast-milk which is 90% water (Nagin, 2008). Water plays an important role in the world economy and is also essential for the healthy growth of farm crops and farm stock, used in the manufacture of many products. We waste water needlessly and don’t realize that clean water is a very limited resource. More than 1 billion people around the world have no access to safe, clean drinking water, and over 2.5 billion do not have adequate sanitation service. Over 2 million people die each year because of unsafe water and most of them are children. The significance of water is discussed under the following headings:
(a) Water and health: Water carries nutrients to all cells in our body and oxygen to our brain. It allows the body to absorb and assimilate minerals, vitamins, amino acids, glucose and other substances. Water flushes out toxins, waste and it helps to regulate body temperature. Water is a main component of saliva which also includes small amounts of electrolytes, mucus, and enzymes. It’s essential for breaking down solid food and keeping our mouth healthy. Our body generally produces enough saliva with regular fluid intake. However, our saliva production may decrease as a result of age or certain medications or therapies so generally it is suggested to increase intake water level. Water consumption helps lubricate and cushion our joints, spinal cord, and tissues. This will help us to enjoy physical activity and lessen discomfort caused by conditions like arthritis. It has been reported that drinking enough water can help in preventing certain ailments like constipation, kidney stones, exercise-induced asthma, urinary tract infectionand hypertension. From outer space, the earth looks like a blue planet because most of its surface is covered by water. But only 2.5% of that water is fresh, and most of that lies frozen and inaccessible in the icecaps and Greenland, leaving less than 1% of fresh water accessible in lakes, river channels and underground. Hydrologists estimate that the average annual flow of all the world’s fresh water ranges from 35000 Km3 to 50 000 Km3. Due to a mix of geographical, environmental and financial factors, as well as to increased pollution from municipal and industrial waste, the leaching of fertilizers and pesticides used in agriculture, only about one-third of the world’s potential fresh water can be used for human needs. As pollution increases, the amount of usable water decreases. Water contributes much to health. Good health is the essence of development. However water’s protective role is largely unseen and taken for granted in the wealthier countries. More attention is paid to its role in disease transmission than health protection. Water contributes to health directly within households through food and nutrition, and indirectly as a means of maintaining a healthy, diverse environment. These two precious resources water and health together could enhance prospects for development.
(b) Water collecting categories:
(i) Surface Water: This is water which falls to the ground as rain or hail. This water is collected from a special area called a catchment. The catchment feeds water into a holding area via rivers, streams and creeks. The water is then stored in a natural or artificial (manmade) barrier called a dam or reservoir. Water is reserved naturally or artificially as in the form of (ii) Springs: These are found where underground water flows out of the ground naturally without the use of bores, wells or pumps. Springs often occur towards the bottom of a hill or on sloping ground.
(Ii) Rock Catchment Areas, Rock Holes: Sometimes large rocky outcrops contain low areas in which water is trapped. These low areas make good natural dams. Often a wall can be built to increase the amount of trapped water.
(iii) Excavated Dams: Excavated dams are made by scooping out soil to make a large shallow hole. These dams are sometimes placed at the bottom of a slope to aid water collection. However, this can only be done in areas where the soil will not allow the water to drain away very easily through the ground. For example, in clay soils. If a community wants a dam in an area where the soil is not impervious this can still be done by digging the hole and lining it with clay or an impervious liner, such as concrete or heavy plastic. Excavated dams are often used by farmers to supply water to stock.
(iv) Rainwater Tanks: The rainwater which falls on the roofs of houses is often collected using roof guttering leading through a pipe to a storage tank.
(v) Artesian Bores: Sometimes when a bore is sunk into a low lying area the water gushes out of the hole under its own pressure. This water is under pressure because it is part of an underground body of water much of which is at a higher level than the bore opening. This kind of bore is called an artesian bore. A water supply taken directly from a bore or well is often called groundwater.
(c) Water Management: To Reduce Health Risks: The transmission of disease is also rife among vulnerable communities because they live in environments receptive to the breeding of insect vectors that carry parasites such as malaria, filaria and trypanosomes. Most of these need water for part of their life-cycle. 300 million people suffer from malaria and in sub-Saharan Africa alone malaria kills an estimated 1 million people per year, the large majority are children under five. However, the ability to treat the disease effectively is being jeopardised as a result of growing problems of drug resistance and counterfeit drugs, while the use of mosquito nets meets with problems of affordability and social acceptability.
“World Water Day highlights that water is a limited resource under increasing pressure. To protect future generations, we must acknowledge its value and adopt sustainable habits to ensure long-term access to clean water.”
Water management, which is key to this approach, should be based on a proper assessment and understanding of local vector ecology. Many poor farmers in semi-arid areas may be dependent for their agricultural water supply on a small number of rich land-owners who can invest in the drilling of bore-holes. In the rice-growing areas of Tamil Nadu in southern India, such situations are not uncommon. Dependency on water provided by one rich farmer may create discrepancies between the time water can be purchased and the cropping cycle. Rice fields may thus be flooded for weeks and become important breeding places for Culex mosquitoes which can transmit Japanese encephalitis. Outbreaks of the disease kill at least 20% of people suffering clinical symptoms – mainly children. Twenty per cent of survivors are left with permanent damage to their central nervous system. Growing water shortages for irrigation may contribute to the alleviation of the Japanese encephalitis problem. As farmers have to manage irrigation water as an increasingly scarce resource, the promotion of alternate wetting and drying practices of rice fields will contribute to a reduction in the vector population and, thus, in the risk of outbreaks.
The treatment of wastewater often is a haphazard affair. In developing regions of the world, treatment is applied in only a minority of systems. Even in the industrialized countries of North America and Europe, for example, sewage is not universally treated. Problems of unsafe water and inadequate sanitation systems are most acute in developing countries. Although in a smaller proportion, people in industrialized countries also get sick from contaminated water and untreated sewage. Despite the fact that developed countries normally have the means to deal with these problems, they often don’t for reasons of complacency, lack of political will, cost and so on. Public pressure to remedy serious health and environmental problems may be instrumental in initiating change. The conservation and preservation of natural resources is one of the most pressing issues of the world today. Worldwide for water management authorities with the combined effects of a growing population and increased water consumption, management of existing resources has become a critical issue. (Gregory & Di Lio 2003: 1262). Although the technical and economic success of the 21st century has improved standards of living, simultaneously it has also placed a heavy burden on our natural environment (Iyer & Kashyap 2007: 32). The emerging scarcity of water is pertinent in discussions related to sustainability of the present form of economic development , sustained water supply, equity and social justice, water financing, pricing , governance and management (Shaban & Sharma 2007: 2190). The escalating demand on potable water resources resulting from increasing populations, droughts and unpredictable weather patterns due to climate change is commonplace in many parts of the world (Willis et. al., 2011: 1996). Experts predict that one of the main environmental challenges faced by humanity in the 21st century is the problem of scarcity and poor quality of water for human consumption (Corral-Verdugo et. al. 2002: 247). Studies reveal that although climate change is a key consumer issue with 59% of consumers worldwide, this is not reflected in consumer behavior (Rettie et. al. 2013: 9). The demand of water is increasing everywhere. Environmental condition is deteriorating due to wastage of water, pollution, encroachment of water bodies and hill slopes.
To raise awareness about the importance of freshwater and advocate for its sustainable management, the world observes World Water Day every year on March 22. The idea of World Water Day was first proposed during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Following this, the United Nations officially designated March 22 as World Water Day in 1993. Since then, the day has been observed annually to highlight water-related issues and encourage global action.Each year, World Water Day is celebrated with a specific theme that focuses on a pressing water issue. The theme for 2026 is “Water and Gender,” with the slogan “Where water flows, equality grows”. The campaign highlights that 2.1 billion people live without safe water, with women and girls acting as primary collectors, often sacrifice education and safety. The 2026 efforts are supported by organisations such as UNICEF, UN Women, FAO, and GWP. Themes in recent years have addressed groundwater, water and climate change, and the value of water, emphasizing the need for collective responsibility.
World Water Day holds immense importance in today’s world:
(a) Raises Awareness: It educates people about the global water crisis and the millions who lack access to safe drinking water.
(b) Promotes Sustainable Use: Encourages efficient use of water in agriculture, industry, and households.
(c ) Supports Global Goals: Aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 6, which focuses on clean water and sanitation for all.
(d) Encourages Action: Inspires governments, organizations, and individuals to take steps toward water conservation and protection. Water conservation is not just the responsibility of governments—it is a duty for every individual. Here are some ways we can contribute:
(i) Avoid Wastage: Turn off taps when not in use and fix leaks promptly.
(ii) Use Water Wisely: Opt for water-efficient appliances and practices.
(iii) Harvest Rainwater: Collect and store rainwater for domestic use. Avoid dumping waste into water bodies to prevent pollution
(iv) Spread Awareness: Educate others about the importance of saving water.Every small effort counts and can collectively make a significant difference.
Conclusion: In conclusion, World Water Day reminds us that water is a finite and invaluable resource. As demand rises and supplies face increasing stress, it is crucial to act responsibly. By understanding its importance and adopting sustainable practices, we can ensure that future generations have access to clean and safe water. Protecting water today is securing life for tomorrow.
(The authors regularly write exclusively for the opinion pages of “Kashmir Horizon”. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the authors and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
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