Dr Vikas Sharma, Komal Sudan
World Water Day, observed annually on March 22, is an initiative by the United Nations to highlight the importance of freshwater and advocate for sustainable water management. Established in 1993, this day serves as a reminder of the global water crisis, emphasizing the need for collective efforts in ensuring clean and accessible water for all. As climate change intensifies and populations grow, the urgency to protect and conserve water resources becomes even more critical.
Significance: Water is a fundamental human need, essential for health, agriculture, industry and the environment. Despite its necessity, millions of people worldwide lack access to clean water, leading to severe health and socio-economic challenges. According to the UN, over 2.2 billion people do not have access to safe water, while 4.2 billion lack proper sanitation. World Water Day aims to raise awareness about water-related issues including scarcity, pollution and inadequate sanitation and encourages governments, organizations and individuals to take action. Each year, World Water Day has a unique theme that focuses on a specific aspect of water conservation. These themes highlight issues such as wastewater management, groundwater preservation and the impact of climate change on water availability. The theme of World Water Day 2025 is ‘Glacier Preservation’. Glaciers are critical to life – their meltwater is essential for drinking water, agriculture, industry, clean energy production and healthy ecosystems. However, glaciers are melting rapidly due to climate change, thus causing uncertainty in water flows, leading to profound impacts on people and the planet.
Water Scarcity-A Global Challenge: Water scarcity is one of the most pressing global concerns. Rapid urbanization, industrialization and deforestation contribute to the depletion of freshwater sources. Climate change exacerbates the situation, causing erratic rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts and melting glaciers, all of which disrupt the natural water cycle. Several regions, including parts of Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, experience extreme water shortages. For instance, Cape Town, South Africa, faced a severe water crisis in 2018, nearly reaching “Day Zero,” when water supply would have been cut off for residents. Similarly, India’s water crisis affects millions, with groundwater depletion posing a significant threat to agricultural sustainability.
Role of Sustainable Water Management: Sustainable water management is essential to ensure a reliable supply of water for future generations. This involves implementing conservation practices, improving water infrastructure and investing in innovative technologies. Key strategies include:
Water Recycling and Reuse: Recycling wastewater for industrial and agricultural use can significantly reduce freshwater demand.
Rainwater Harvesting: Capturing and storing rainwater can supplement water supply, especially in arid regions.
Efficient Irrigation Techniques: Drip irrigation and other advanced irrigation methods can minimize water wastage in agriculture, which is the largest consumer of freshwater.
Desalination: Converting seawater into potable water is a viable solution for water-scarce coastal regions, though it requires significant investment.
Public Awareness and Education: Encouraging responsible water use through community engagement and educational programs fosters a culture of conservation.
Impact of Pollution on Water Resources: Water pollution is a major challenge that threatens aquatic ecosystems and human health. Industrial discharge, agricultural runoff and domestic waste contribute to the contamination of rivers, lakes and groundwater. The excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides leads to eutrophication, causing the depletion of oxygen levels in water bodies and harming aquatic life. Plastic pollution is another growing concern, with microplastics found in water sources worldwide. These pollutants pose serious health risks to both humans and marine organisms. Addressing pollution requires strict regulations on industrial waste disposal, promotion of eco-friendly products and public participation in clean-up initiatives.
Role of Government and Organizations: The Government and International Organizations play a crucial role in addressing water-related issues. The UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) aims to ensure clean water and sanitation for all by 2030. Various policies and programs have been implemented worldwide to achieve this goal including:
The UN-Water Initiative: Coordinates efforts among UN agencies to manage global water resources effectively.
India’s Jal Jeevan Mission: Aims to provide tap water to every rural household by 2024.
Africa’s Water Supply and Sanitation Programme: Work towards improving access to clean water across the continent.
Collaboration between governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the private sector is essential for implementing sustainable water policies and addressing disparities in water distribution.
Water facts:
* In 2023, glaciers lost more than 600 gigatons of water, the largest mass loss registered in 50 years (WMO).
* About 70% of Earth’s freshwater exists as snow or ice (WMO).
* Nearly 2 billion people rely on water from glaciers, snowmelt and mountain run-off for drinking, agriculture and energy production (UN Water/UNESCO).
* Increased glacier melting contributes significantly to global sea-level rise, with today’s sea level about 20 cm higher than in 1900 (IPCC).
* Limiting global warming to 1.5 0C could save glaciers in two-thirds of World Heritage sites (UNESCO/IUCN).
Key messages:
* Glaciers are melting faster than ever. As the planet gets hotter due to climate change, our frozen world is shrinking, making the water cycle more unpredictable and extreme.
* Glacial retreat threatens devastation. For billions of people, meltwater flows are changing, causing floods, droughts, landslides and sea level rise and damaging ecosystems.
* Glacier preservation is a survival strategy. We must work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and manage meltwater more sustainably for people and the planet.
Water Pledge:
* Save water: Take shorter showers and don’t let the tap run when brushing teeth, doing dishes and preparing food.
* Eat local: Buy local, seasonal food and look for products made with less water.
* Be curious: Find out where water comes from and how it is shared and visit a treatment plant to see how waste is managed.
* Protect nature: Plant a tree or create a rain garden – use natural solutions to reduce the risk of flooding and store water.
* Flush safe: Fix leaking water and waste pipes, empty full septic tanks and report dumping of sludge.
* Build pressure: Write to elected representatives about budgets for improving water at home and abroad.
* Stop polluting: Don’t put food waste, oils, medicines and chemicals down toilet or drains.
* Clean up: Take part in clean-ups of local rivers, lakes, wetlands or beaches.
World Water Day serves as a powerful reminder that water is a precious resource that must be protected. World Water Day 2025 highlights the urgent need for glacier preservation to secure freshwater resources and combat climate change. As glaciers melt at an alarming rate, global and local efforts must focus on reducing carbon emissions, sustainable water management and conservation strategies. Governments, organizations and individuals must work together to protect these vital water sources. By taking action now, we can ensure a sustainable future where clean water remains accessible for all. Let this day be a reminder of our shared responsibility to safeguard the planet’s most precious resource.
(The authors are from the Division of Biochemistry, FBSc., SKUAST-Jammu)
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