Save Water to save Life and Preserve Nature

Rahiman Paani Raakhiye, Bin Paani Sab Soon: The Importance of Water and Conservation Efforts

This doha by Rahim Das has been reminding us of the pricelessness of water for centuries. Water is the foundation of life; without it, everything becomes barren and lifeless. Water is essential not only as drinking water but also for agriculture, industry, ecology, and human health. On a global scale, water scarcity has become a serious crisis, and there are fears that its horrors will intensify in the future. In this article, we will discuss the importance of water, the dangers of future scarcity, the Indian government’s efforts for water resource conservation, and a comparison with the global level.

The Importance of Water

Water is the essence of life on Earth. It constitutes 60% of the human body and is necessary for the existence of all living beings. In agriculture, 70% of water is used, which forms the basis of global food production. Water also plays a significant role in industries, such as power generation and manufacturing. However, today’s indiscriminate consumption and pollution of water have made it scarce. According to the United Nations, water scarcity disproportionately affects poor communities, leading to health problems, food insecurity, and increased conflicts.

The Horrors of Water Scarcity in the Future

Looking to the future, the situation is alarming. According to United Nations reports, by 2040, 40% of the world’s population may face severe water scarcity. By 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population could be living in water-stressed conditions, while 1.8 billion people may suffer from absolute water shortage. Due to climate change, population growth, urbanization, and economic development, global water demand could increase by 20-25% by 2050. This will affect ecosystems, reduce biodiversity, and displace millions of people. In India too, 11 out of 15 major river basins may become water-stressed by 2025, where per capita annual water availability will be less than 1,700 cubic meters.

Indian Government’s Efforts for Water Resources

The Indian government has taken the water crisis seriously and initiated several measures. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, major schemes are underway.

• Jal Jeevan Mission: This scheme aims to provide tap water to every household in rural areas. By 2024, millions of households have been connected, and in 2025, it is being further expanded.

• Namami Gange: Launched for the cleaning and conservation of the Ganga River, this scheme emphasizes pollution control, river development, and community participation. In 2025, new projects have been added to it.

• Atal Bhujal Yojana: Focused on groundwater management, it promotes sustainable water use at the community level. In 2025, it has received recognition for its outstanding contribution.

• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana: To enhance irrigation efficiency, this scheme encourages water conservation techniques.

• Other Initiatives: Flood management programs, information education and communication, National Water Awards (application deadline extended to January 31 in 2025), and solar energy-based irrigation systems. At the World Economic Forum 2025, India offered global cooperation on water conservation. On World Water Day 2025, emphasis was placed on community participation and innovative strategies.

These efforts are based on policy reforms, smart water grids, rainwater harvesting, decentralized wastewater treatment, and community involvement.

Comparison with the Global Level

At the global level, the United Nations’ SDG 6 (availability of water and sanitation) is prominent, which aims to ensure sustainable water management for all by 2030. UN Water has launched the first comprehensive systemic strategy, uniting UN agencies to accelerate water-related goals. Initiatives like World Water Week 2025 and the Pan-African Water Conference promote global discussions.

Compared to India, global efforts are more focused on international cooperation, such as controlling the increase in water extraction from AI-powered data centers (up to 4.2-6.6 billion cubic meters by 2027). However, India’s schemes are strong at the community level, like the Atal Bhujal Yojana, which enhances rural resilience, while globally, investment in irrigation and reservoir expansion is declining. Despite implementation gaps in India’s water policies, progress is being made, such as a $50 million loan from the Asian Development Bank for water security. The global water gap is 457.9 km³/year, which is increasing due to warming, but initiatives from countries like India can help reduce it.

Conclusion

Water scarcity is a global challenge, but the Indian government’s efforts are commendable. Compared to the global level, India is ahead in community participation, but there is a need to enhance international cooperation. We must also adopt water conservation at the individual level so that Rahim’s doha does not remain just a poem but becomes a principle of life.

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