Anis ur Rahman Khan
Amid an unprecedented scarcity of water, authorities in Maharashtra’s drought-hit Latur district have clamped Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) to bar the assembly of more than five people around wells and water filling points to tackle any form of violence over water.
The order was issued by Latur’s district collector Pandurang Pol and would be in effect in areas around 20 places until May 31. The move was said to be a preventive measure to tackle possible violence over water around the civic body-run tanks – the only source of water supply to this parched land. Latur is the hometown of the late former Maharashtra CM VilasraoDeshmukh.
What does such a move signify to a world that is waking up to the fact that water, a most precious resource, the basis of all life and indeed all modern-day processes – is increasingly coming under threat? Why else would a local administration need to take recourse to a section in the criminal code to keep in abeyance possible violence? This scenario needs to be viewed in the context of the recent celebration of the World Water Day, declared by the United Nations 22nd March 1993. Marking this day underlines the need for the world community to raise awareness,take stock of the present situation and take action to conserve and optimize this precious resource. This is what we owe to not only the human race but to the entire plant, animal world indeed the entire eco-system.
The Earth is aptly called the’Blue Planet’. Although according to NASA reports, the Mars showed existence of water over billions of years, the ‘Red Planet’ did not have the life-sustaining properties as our planet and simply vanished from its surface. Indeed 71% of the Earth’s surface is water. However, only a minuscule portion of this, 2.5% can be accessed for consumption with the rest existing in oceans, perennial snow cover in areas such as Antarctica and Greenland as well as moisture in the soil. This calls upon the world community to be extremely judicious in the use of water, to ensure that it is preserved in the myriad different forms available to us.
However are we living up to this? Closer home let us take a quick look at a region where nature has bestowed all her glory- Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The state has ample water resources such as lakes, rivers, glaciers besides groundwater. Several of the rivers, originate from glaciers in the Himalayan region. Spring water is abundant and is known for its pristine properties. Indeed the Public Health Engineering Department of the state supplies spring water to a large number of urban and semi-urban areas.
Yet taking a closer look, are these abundant water resources in regions of Jammu and Kashmir meeting the needs of the community? Springs although plentiful are prone to dry up in summer months particularly. Also there are instances where mindless exploitation of spring water without taking care of its environs has led to the spring itself disappearing, going underground.
The situation turns grim in far flung, poorly developed areas such as Poonch district, Jammu that shares a border with Pakistan. In Surankote block for instance, the drying up of ponds and springs that stretches beyond the summer months till October, is rife with danger and has led to clashes on water amongst the community. In areas such as Hill Kaka that are hard to access and poorly developed, communities struggle to survive, to earn a livelihood through cattle rearing and selling. They are hardest hit when there is a water crisis. Wazir Mohammad, a local rues the fact that the authorities have not made any provision for water supply. In recent months, a small pool of water available to the local community and a herd of 100 buffaloes began to dry up creating panic .
Mazfuda, an elderly woman living in Balakote,near the borderechoes the same sentiment, “The Government has made no provision . In winter we have to walk for two kilometers to the water source while in summer, we walk further, upto four kilometers. We have no choice but to undergo this hardship.” Especially during weddings, funerals and community events, this problem becomes even more acute.
Says Bilkees, 65, ” We have to tend to our cattle as they are a source of sustenance for our family. We have to carry water on our heads for them also.” Striking a anguished tone, she says, ” Why are we suffering like this? Why does the government not care for us?”. Bilkees’s daughter-in-law feels that this constant trek for water is taking a toll on women’s health in the area.
There are however some reasons to cheer. The Indian Army has not only established schools but also provides water to the children and indeed for the community. Naziya, a school teacher in the Army-run schools while acknowledging the support from the Army believes that a permanent solution is required from the Government.
There have been some measures. Under the Accelerated National Rural Water Supply (2009-10), improvement in supply to rural areas was undertaken. The National Rural Drinking Water Programme then took off and took this work forward. There has been a move to take the initiative from the state, district to panchayat levels. The State Water & Sanitation Mission headed by Development Commissioner was established. Its district counterpart District Water & Sanitation Mission was set up headed by the Chairman of the Zilla Parishad. At the level of the Panchayat, the body was headed by the Sarpanch.
Coming back to Poonch, there is some reason to cheer. The Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) has been undertaken aimed at restoring ecological balance by harnessing, conserving and developing degrading natural resources including water. Rainwater harvesting and recharging of ground water is a prime focus.
According to Mr. Kafil Bhatti, technical expert water harvesting tanks have been constructed albeit within a limited project area. He however believes that it is imperative to take it to scale, to leverage the different existing Government programmes on water, and bring succor to regions such as Poonch
(Charkha Features)
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