16 May 2022  |   05:20am IST

Water the life-sustaining liquid — conserve it

The United Nations (UN) has recognised access to water as a basic human right, stating that water is a social and cultural good, not merely an economic commodity. Since ancient times, water has been recognised universally as an invaluable resource. In different cultures water is recognised as a purifier, protector and healer. The bible quotes “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I shall give water without price (Revelation 21:6.). In Islam the Sharia law in Koran literally translates to laws of sharing water.

“Water must be free for sustenance needs, since nature gives water to us free of cost, buying and selling it violates our inherent right to nature’s gift and denies the poor of their human rights.” Vandana Shiva.

Water is one of the most important natural resources of the planet we are living on and also one of the most vital nutrients a human body requires. It is crucial to preserve water for both our planet and ourselves, without which, life would be impossible. If there is magic in this planet it is contained in water. Water is life and clean water is health. Saving water resources is saving life. The sea cures all ailments of man. Pure water is the world’s first and foremost medicine. Rich or poor everyone needs water. Life without water is impossible. Don’t flush out our planet’s most valuable resource. There is plenty of water in the universe without life, but nowhere is there life without water. Water is a gift from the creator. Protect it! Respect it! The goal of life is living in harmony with nature. Water is one of the most fundamental necessities of life which covers most of our planet and our body. Save water, save life means that if we use our water supplies wisely, we will be able to preserve life on our planet. Water is nature’s daughter. Save water today, secure your tomorrow. Join the Blue revolution to stop water pollution. We need the blue to save the green. No water, no life, no blue, no green. Pollute water and you pollute life. Water is the substance of life, treasure it. Today’s wastage is tomorrow’s shortage. Responsible water usage can best be achieved by empowering local communities and creating local accountability. Today, due to increased consumption patterns the consumption of water has increased a hundred-fold. We need to think not only about our direct use of water but also about our indirect uses. 

A week ago, the CM of Goa Pramod Sawant stated that Goa is currently facing the shortage of 76 MLD (millions of liter per day) of drinking water, causing water scarcity in many areas. We are in the midst of a global fresh water crisis and unless we manage our water better now, we will run out. Residents of the tourism belt in Goa are facing an acute shortage of drinking water as new commercial establishments have come up with large stretches of lawn and golf courses. With the booming water business in Goa which is visible with the number of water tankers on the road and a drop in our water table levels, our wells once perennial have now gone dry. Added to this is the presence of a swimming pool in almost every property both private and commercial. People come to Goa and swim in private swimming pools instead of swimming in the sea. The coastal state has witnessed protests by civil society groups in several parts. Citizens of Goa have been lamenting over water shortage. Amid shortage of potable water reported in several parts of Goa, state Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik want “big companies” to be invited to build a network of dams in the state so that the collected water could be exported to the arid Gulf region. At a recent government function the minister suggested that water should be privatised and exported to the Gulf countries in exchange for fuel. Naik was quoted as saying, “We import petrol from foreign countries. We can export them water and import petrol. The minister’s statement comes at a time when Goa is reeling under water scarcity. Instead of ensuring that every household in Goa has sufficient water for drinking and other basic needs Naik wants to ensure the availability of petrol for cars.

Ex-PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar had assured Goans that Goa’s water supply shortage will be solved by December 2021. Not only did he do nothing about the water woes of Goans but he did nothing to cap the thousands of broken valves from which thousands of litres of water spills onto the roads daily and is wasted. 

In Buddhism water symbolises life, the purest form of food, and water is that particular element which in nature carries everything together. Water symbolises purity, clarity and calmness and reminds us to clean our minds and attain the state of purity. Water is used to clean away dirt. As we celebrate Buddha Purnima today which is the biggest day for Buddhist, because three important events took place on this day in the life of Buddha: his birth, enlightenment and death. As an enlightened species let us acknowledge the crisis of our diminishing water resources. Sometimes we do not want to accept what is happening around us, be it a water crisis or an earth crisis because it is a little too scary and painful. Just like we refuse to face the parts of ourselves that are a little too uncomfortable or painful. We have got to face both so that we can heal both. The unmindful wastage of clean drinking water is one of the most serious threats facing us today. 

Woe to those who have turned water a free gift of Nature into a business for profit. In the present circumstances it is imperative the government of Goa declares its water policy. 

(The writer is a social scientist and a senior practising criminal lawyer)

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Originally Appeared Here