Water for life

This refers to the editorial, ‘Water woes’ (March 28). Water is one of the most valuable resources of nature. Can we imagine a day without clean water? Day by day, it is becoming clear that water is going to be the biggest casualty of modernisation. Increasing population and rapid urbanisation has led to the overuse of water resources leading to water pollution and scarcity.

Rain, rivers and wells have been man’s traditional sources of fresh water. Global warming upsets natural patterns of rainfall. Rivers are being slowly killed at their sources by the steady destruction of forests, construction of dams and overdevelopment of groundwater. Unless water is used equitably, and in a non-partisan manner, playing with it may prove to be more risky than playing with fire. Development cannot be reversed. But technology can be reoriented to serve the dual purpose of conserving water and regulating its use. We have to pay attention to the importance of freshwater and be able to maintain freshwater resources. Leaving aside global solutions, we should do something at the national and regional levels. Let us join hands in saving water.

Vinod C Dixit

Ahmedabad, India