"Go wash your face," you say, and some people use a whole bucket of water. "Wash your hands properly," and they waste half a bucket. And when you tell them to take a bath, they can’t sleep without using two or three buckets of water. If you can’t tolerate such waste, imagine the harsh reality of water scarcity. Let's understand why water conservation is critical.
We know water is H2O – two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. If it's so simple, why can’t we just make water? Despite having abundant hydrogen and oxygen, and even with advanced technology, we can't produce water in sufficient quantities. Creating a single drop of water in a lab would take over 10 hours and extreme heat, and even then, it would be in gas form, requiring condensation to become liquid. Thus, we rely on nature to provide water. But if we destroy nature, where will we get water from?
The price of gold fluctuates, and petrol prices are reviewed every 15 days. What if one day we have to buy water like this? Selling water on the stock market might sound like a nightmare, but is it really so far-fetched? Not long ago, we couldn't imagine buying bottled water, but now it's a reality.
The Water Crisis
About 70% of our planet is covered with water, but 97.2% of it is salty ocean water. Only 2.15% is frozen in glaciers and ice caps, leaving a tiny fraction of fresh water available for consumption. Yet, we often waste water without realizing its value. Cities like Delhi, Bangalore, and Chennai are already facing severe water shortages.
Civilizations historically thrived near rivers. Even today, 80% of the world’s population lives near river basins. However, humans have polluted these lifelines. Hyderabad’s Musi River and Hussain Sagar once provided clean drinking water but are now heavily polluted.
A study by Wageningen University in the Netherlands warns that by 2050, water in over 3,061 river basins will be undrinkable. Mismanagement and pollution are the main culprits. Festivals and rituals often exacerbate this issue, with people using rivers for bathing and washing, adding to the contamination.
Governments lack stringent measures to protect water bodies. In major cities, lakes and reservoirs are disappearing due to encroachment and pollution. The severe water crisis in cities like Delhi, Bangalore, and Chennai is largely due to this neglect. Pollution is a significant contributor, with climate change and air pollution reducing atmospheric moisture, disrupting rainfall patterns, and exacerbating water scarcity.
Global Impact and Future Challenges
In countries like Africa, the water crisis is already dire, with people drinking contaminated water during droughts. Globally, water scarcity causes nearly 200,000 deaths annually. The United Nations aimed to provide clean water for all by 2023, but the goal remains unmet due to financial constraints. Countries that easily fund wars find it challenging to invest in water infrastructure.
India's water needs are set to double in the next six years, with decreasing water availability impacting the economy. Reports suggest water scarcity could reduce India's GDP by 6%. The UN warns that by 2050, India will face extreme water shortages. Studies predict that by 2025, 1.8 billion people will suffer from severe water scarcity, while over a billion lack access to any water.
Major global cities are already experiencing water crises. In Asia alone, 80% of the population faces water issues. More than 80 countries worldwide are grappling with severe water shortages. Delayed monsoons and the lack of water storage facilities exacerbate the problem. Despite witnessing millions of cubic feet of rainwater wasted, we fail to build reservoirs to conserve it.
Groundwater depletion is another major issue. Over-extraction and lack of recharge efforts have led to a four-meter drop in groundwater levels in many Indian districts over the past two decades.
Water Wars
Future conflicts may not be over land or resources but over water. States in India are already clashing over water rights. The Andhra Pradesh-Telangana standoff at Nagarjuna Sagar and Srisailam, and the Kaveri river dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, are prime examples. Internationally, India's control over the Indus River impacts Pakistan, demonstrating water’s strategic importance.
Water is indeed more powerful than war, and conserving it is crucial for our survival. Let's act now to save every drop and ensure a sustainable future for all.
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