Water scarcity and conservation

JULY 2016 TOPIC: The nation is facing severe water scarcity and the monsoon is nearing. What ways and means do you suggest to harvest rain and conserve water?

I think the government should provide funds to install rainwater harvesting systems in every drought-stricken village and this should be made mandatory for every possible house or at least two in every society. Countries like Singapore and Japan suffer water crises too but they have adequate water because of efficient water-harvesting systems. There are cities and states which aren’t under drought but in coming years they will be! This year by taking the example of 21 districts of Maharashtra, 16 districts of Odisha, Telangana and many more, the government should make rainwater harvesting mandatory.
Harshita Rawat (16)
Bangalore

Some parts of our country have good resources of water whereas other parts suffer from chronic water shortage. Rainwater fills the lakes and ponds, and also flows into the river. Some rainwater also seeps into the ground and becomes available as ground water. Some of the methods used for harvesting rainwater: Building of small earthen dams or embankments, construction of dykes, construction of sand and limestone reservoirs; and setting up of roof-top water collecting units. All these methods of collecting rainwater can recharge depleting groundwater levels.
Sanjibonny Konwar (16)
APS Jorhat, Assam

Water is important and needed for life to exist but the nation is facing a water scarcity. I would like to suggest a simple rainwater harvesting method. Start with the catchment area — primarily the roof of the house and arrange a conveyance system to move the water from the roof to the storage area. And build a storage system to hold the rainwater for future use. In order to stay clean and hygienic we need to understand the amount of water we waste daily unknowingly. To save our nation and save lives we need to save water.
Aster Shail Vas (16)
St Aloysius P.U. College, Mangalore

Though some parts of our country are suffering from huge water scarcity, there are also some parts in our country where there is good annual rainfall and the water literally gets wasted, e.g., Mumbai city. Every year there are floods in Mumbai. We can use this water for household needs by harvesting it. Rain harvesting is the best method to save water. If rains can provide so much water and if this water is used carefully I don’t think the city of Mumbai will ever face the problem of water scarcity. Apart from that drip irrigation can also be tried on crops which requires huge amount of water so that water can be saved which can be used for other purposes. Every individual should know the importance and judiciously use it.
Sanjeeta Dessai
Goa

Investment in water harvesting methods is the need of the hour. One of the best method is the rain water harvesting. The government should make it mandatory for buildings and houses in areas with plentiful rainfall. For agronomical purposes arrangements like drip irrigation and sprinkle irrigation should be employed. Industries needing water for cooling purposes should use recycled water. At the domestic level the general public, especially children, should be made cognizant of the tips and methods to save water. Let us all take a pledge to save water because every single drop counts!
Aarti Sandeep Agrawal (18)
SRM University, Kattankulathur

Water scarcity has always been one of the major problems India faces every year. This year it is observed that this problem has taken its toll on the lives in the country. My suggestion is that rain water harvesting plants should be established by all residential societies. After all it is the problem of the nation and shouldn’t be left to the government alone to be dealt with. If we use water scarcely and save every drop of it, we can overcome this crisis very soon.
Sakina Dudhwala (17)
Nirmala Niketan College of Home Science, Mumbai

As water scarcity has become a common problem in many parts of our country, we should harvest rainwater and try our best not to waste a single drop of water. The most common way to harvest rain water is rooftop rain water harvesting. We can simply keep buckets or any other container during the rainy season in our verandas or on our terrace and the water can be used for various activities such as watering the plants, cleaning vehicles, etc. In this way, tap water can be conserved for other requirements. Some simple tips that can be followed to conserve water are: avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily, water used in washing vegetables can be used to water plants instead of being thrown away and keep a regular check on the leakage of taps in the house.
Vishakha S. Keswani (18)
St Angela Sophia Sr. Sec. School, Jaipur

There isn’t enough water for everyone’s greed, but there is for everyone’s need. We, regrettably never bother about it. Firstly, water bills should be sent to every household instead of every society just like electricity bills. And when it comes to rain, make trenches around big trees so that the collection and absorption of rain water will occur escalating the ground water level. Secondly, big drums/vessels can be placed in the backyard/veranda to collect rain water and then this water can be used for household purposes other than consumption. Thirdly, replace the tiling work with loose pebble stone pavement around the compound, this will prevent the growth of unwanted plants plus will help to absorb rain water falling on it.
Anjali Menon (20)
SIES College of Arts, Science & Commerce, Mumbai

Water is essential for life to exist. But it is human nature that we value things only when they are scarce. The increasing population, growing industrialisation, expanding agriculture and increased standard of living have pushed the demand for water. Certain steps are essential to conserve water like: water gardens in evening, to reduce evaporation, not to use hosepipes for washing vehicles, fix leaking faucets, use dishwasher and cloth-washers only with full loads, practise waste water treatment and recycling techniques and housing societies, business houses and industries must have rain harvesting facilities. Everyone should wake up before it is too late.
Surbhi Kohli (17)
H.M.V Collegiate Sr Secondary School, Jalandhar

With moderate rainfall and abundant water-bodies, we do not have any pure water shortage, what we lack is proper water management. First of all, our nation has to inculcate a culture of water conservation. Rainwater harvesting is a prime step in this regard. Rooftop rain water harvesting, in which rain water is collected from the roof of the house, is less expensive and very effective method for households. At the macro-level, the government should take steps to implant rain water reservoir in public places. Water thus stored can be used to water plants near the highways and can also be used in public toilets.
Akshaya Reshmi (21)
Vimala College, Thrissur

As monsoons are nearing and there is a severe drought situation in the country, people should learn to conserve water in every possible way. Small check dams can be built over rivers which holds water and can be used in every possible way. People should check for leaking taps and pipelines in their house and also in their neighbourhood. Different types of water conserving irrigation techniques can be used by farmers which are cheap as well as efficient. And the most important of all is that, people should not pollute water as it is the most precious element on earth.
Senjuti Bhattacharya (16)
Carmel Convent High School, Kalamboli, Navi Mumbai

The water crisis in the whole of the nation is nothing short of a calamity. One of the basic essentials for existence, water, is on the brink of collapse. To avoid such a situation, macroscopic means such as rain water harvesting, regular fixing of bursting pipelines, etc., should be undertaken by the government. Saving water at the microscopic level is what will make the difference. Every person should use the least amount of water possible. Because every drop at this stage really counts.
Sagarika Kothavale (17)
A.D. Joshi Junior College, Solapur, Maharashtra

A step to conserve water is the step to secure the future. The most essential among all the natural resources on earth is water. In India, one of the most serious problems faced by the people is water scarcity. And now the monsoon is near therefore the people must strive hard to conserve the rain water. Rain water can be harvested by various methods. During the rains, water flowing from roofs can be collected for future use. Nowadays big underground tanks are built and rain water is directly sent to the tank. Rain Saucer, which looks like an upside down umbrella that collects rain straight from the sky also can be used. A Dutch invention called the Groasis Waterbox is also useful for growing trees with harvested and stored rainwater.
Sarthak Sanjay Mundane (15)
Fatima Convent High School, Achalpur