As an organisation committed to spreading awareness about science and the state of health, this week’s topic of MIEF’s mid week awareness bulletin focuses on water and more specifically clean water. Millions of Indians have no access to clean, safe water. In a report by UNICEF, we came across the following quote that just felt like an doom’s day warning.
“There will be constant competition over water, between farming families and urban dwellers, environmental conservationists and industrialists, minorities living off natural resources and entrepreneurs seeking to commodify the resources base for commercial gain” -UNICEF
An ever-growing population, lack of requisite infrastructure planning, dependence on rain water in many areas, waste wastage, lack of proper sanitary infrastructure, industrial and domestic pollution of the natural water bodies are some of the reasons for an acute water problem. It is not surprising then that a large proportion (21%) of the diseases are water borne.
Hopefully the new government formed after the current elections will tackle water as a serious issue and push for improvements. The opportunities are immense! However, it would be foolish to keep sitting and hoping for things to improve. We wanted to list out a few aspects that you can help with on a personal, family level. Every drop counts, like they say!
- Start at home, push for a rain water harvesting systems in your locality! Here’s a success story in the Chennai water harvesting project. It CAN happen!
- Raise awareness through various media channels now available to common citizens, don’t let incidents like the sewage water mixing errors go unnoticed. Citizens need to be watch-dogs. The authorities need to be pushed to be proactive and help!
- Avoid wastage of water personally. This can happen if you allow yourself to think that so many millions have no access at all. Everyone likes long baths, but there are others walking very many Kms to get each bucket. Think about it!
- Support campaigns and NGO efforts that are pushing for water awareness and disease control. Contribute, volunteer, spread a word, donate a tweet, share on your profiles, vote! Do something!
- Adopt environment friendly living. Teach the kids. Set great examples!
- Most importantly, make sure you purify the water you’re drinking (filters, boiling both help!). Take advice from health professionals and experts to learn how to fight the risk against water borne diseases.
Stay safe and take care!
