Water is one of the precious resources that sustains all life on the earth. Yet its conservation in India is a critical issue that requires urgent attention. A lot of people in our country are unaware of its significance and causing wastage and depletion of water resources. That’s why we have decided to provide guidance to them.
In this blog, Helplocal – a platform trusted to discover NGOs in India – will tell everything important about water conservation in India. From its significance to facts and conservation ideas to NGOs that are working tirelessly towards this cause, we will cover all crucial aspects!
Let us first understand why should we preserve water.
Why Conserve Water?
Leonardo da Vinci once said, “Water is the driving force of all nature.” His words hold true even today. Water is the essence of life. It is crucial for almost every aspect of our existence. But because of factors such as population growth, climate change, and unsustainable practices, it has become a finite resource. We must conserve it to ensure its availability for future generations.
But this shouldn’t be the only reason for water conservation. Helplocal will tell you 4 more reasons why it is important:
- To ensure access to clean water: Clean, safe water is crucial for human health and well-being. Yet most of us still lack access to it. By preserving water, we can make certain that there is enough water available for us all to meet basic needs. These include drinking, cooking, and sanitation.
- To reduce energy consumption: Just like how we need to breathe to survive, we also need energy to power our daily activities. However, generating and transporting energy requires water. And in turn, producing and transporting water requires energy. With water conservation, we can lessen the amount of energy needed to treat and transport water. This will help in lowering greenhouse gas emissions which are causing environmental changes.
- To save money: One of the biggest water conservation reasons, especially for individuals and households on a budget. Reducing your water usage can result in lower bills. In fact, taking some measures such as using less hot water, fixing leaks immediately, or installing low-flow showerheads and toilets can also help in preventing costly water damage and save money.
- To prepare for future water shortages: Another important reason to save water in 2023 and beyond. Believe it or not, factors such as climate change and population growth are expected to aggravate water scarcity in many parts of the world in the upcoming years. They will lead to water shortages and conflicts over water resources. By conserving this precious resource, we can confirm that there’ll be enough water to meet our needs in the future.
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Why Water Conservation is More Important in India Than Ever?
Notwithstanding water scarcity is a global issue, it has particularly become a severe issue in India. The country’s demand for water is extremely high and its resources are depleting rapidly. According to the 2030 Water Resources Group, if the current water consumption rates persist, India will have only half of the water it needs by 2030.
And that’s not it. Here are more facts that underscore the importance of water conservation as a pressing concern for India:
- A study suggests that nearly 80% of India’s freshwater is used in agriculture which is an unusually large water footprint for the sector. China and South Africa, on the other hand, use around 64% and 62% of their renewable freshwater for agriculture.
- India uses at least twice the amount of water to grow one unit of food compared to other countries.
- Despite having large dams and canal systems, farmers use 63% of groundwater for irrigation using tubewells.
- India draws nearly 25% of the world’s groundwater. What’s concerning is that this number is more than China and the United States combined.
- Excessive water extraction has caused contamination and depletion of groundwater reserves. Nearly 60% of Indian districts have been declared critical of groundwater.
- NITI Aayog recently pointed out that severe water scarcity could lead to a 6% loss in the country’s GDP.
- Another report from NITI Aayog suggests that groundwater accounts for 90% of drinking water requirements in rural areas and nearly 50% in urban areas. However, its excessive extraction has caused the contamination, making India rank 120 out of 122 countries in the global water quality index.
How India Can Conserve Water?
We hope that after looking at the aforementioned facts, you have a better understanding of the severity of the water crisis in India. As we said before, the situation is dire. And if not addressed in time, it could potentially have disastrous consequences.
However, it’s still not too late. There are some ways in which we all can conserve water and ensure the sustainable development of the country.
Let’s take a look at them:
- Rainwater harvesting: Every year, our country receives abundant rainfall. But the sad part is much of this water goes to waste due to inadequate infrastructure. By implementing rainwater harvesting techniques, we can not only conserve water but also recharge ground levels. This will further aid in meeting the water demands of the country.
- Efficient irrigation techniques: As we saw above, agriculture is the largest consumer of water in India. Adopting efficient irrigation techniques such as drip irrigation or sprinkler irrigation can help us significantly reduce water consumption.
- Water-efficient appliances: One can also save water by using water-efficient appliances such as low-flow showerheads, faucets, and toilets in households and commercial buildings.
- Industrial water management: It’s not just agriculture that is responsible for water problems in India. Industries have an equal share in it! They use a significant amount of freshwater for their operations and release it as wastewater often without treatment back into the environment. By adopting measures like water recycling and reuse, industries can reduce their water footprint.
- Awareness campaigns: Creating awareness about water conservation in India is the first and most important step towards its sustainable management. It is only when, we, the people of this country, understand the importance of water, the challenges faced in its availability, and our role in conserving it, things can improve.
Create public awareness campaigns to educate people on the importance of water preservation. Encourage them to adopt water-saving practices in their daily lives.
NGOs Working for Water Conservation in India
Here are some NGOs that are working tirelessly to save water and ensure its availability to the people of India:
#1 Sehgal Foundation
Sehgal Foundation has been actively helping in the water conversation and involved in sanitation initiatives for more than 2 decades now. Starting from arid regions like Haryana, Bihar, and Rajasthan, today, it has expanded its operations and reach across the entire country.
By implementing solid rainwater harvesting techniques, this NGO has saved millions of gallons of water in India.
#2 Water for People in India
How could we not tell you about this remarkable water conservation NGO? Water for People in India works on the WASH principle. For those who don’t know, it stands for providing access to high-quality drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene. With a focus on marginal communities, this non-profit organization works at the ground level to make a meaningful impact.
Water for People in India has benefited more than 50 million individuals by building resources for the supply, storage, and testing of water in India.
#3 Watershed Organization Trust (WOTR)
They say water is life and conserving it is our collective responsibility. Watershed Organization Trust (WOTR) takes this responsibility very seriously. It works tirelessly to bring sustainable water management practices to communities across India.
With a presence in 7 states, this NGO has helped over 3750 villages in gaining access to clean water and sanitation. WOTR has participants’ support from 63 countries and has positively impacted the lives of 4 million in India.
List of NGOs working on water conservation in India
#4 Gramin Vikas Samiti
Our list of honorable NGOs for water conservation in India will be considered incomplete without mentioning Gramin Vikas Samiti. Also known by the name GRAVIS, it is dedicated to providing access to clean water and sanitation throughout India.
The foundation has made significant contributions by building over 6,000 tanks, 588 Beris, and 263 Naddis. GRAVIS has benefited over 1.3 million people through its water conservation efforts.
Water Conservation in India: Final Words `
Above is everything important you needed to know about water conservation in India. Remember, water conservation is not just an individual responsibility but also a collective one. As a part of society, we should make conscious efforts to save every single drop of water.
By adopting the aforementioned water-saving measures and volunteering for water preservation NGOs, we can make a big difference in mitigating the crisis in India.
Got any queries to ask? Send them to hello@helplocal.in and have them answered by our experts!
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