By the Editor: Siddharth Sehgal
Nobody would have imagined that IT capital of Asia can be brought to a standstill over water. Water use to be a resource something we take for granted but it has become an asset now. Though sharing the water for few more days should not be an issue but broader message is that even after this new distribution system there will not be enough water for people of both states but the thing is there was never enough water for anyone even before this dispute and this problem of shortage is something we see in New Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai or anywhere else in country for that matter.
Given the speed with which our needs are growing, we are going to see more conflict over resources be it land, water, electricity, gas etc. but it is not too late yet. We can still develop alternate conservation options to not only store the water but also to alleviate drought and improve irrigation, it’s not too complicated endeavor, all it require is careful planning and initiative on our part.
First and foremost is replantation on the available land, plants plays a major role in soil and water retention, it can not only stop and hold the necessary water it can actually lower the temperature and balance out the excess heat in the atmosphere. Planning reservoirs around major cities and urban areas that can store water during the rains and flooding. Small dams and water reservoirs that is interconnected through a channel system that goes to drought lands and population areas that are suffering shortages of water. Rain water harvesting is another mechanism where water from roof tops of different homes can be collected in one or multiple tanks for future usage. This is not a new concept it was implemented in ancient days, information is readily available on the internet.
Sharing few more resources with our countrymen is an inconvenience worth the trouble. Better someone else uses that water rather than seeing my furniture float and knowing the levy can overflow in rainy season or during floods, it might be a wise proposition. There is nothing we cannot do to resolve our problems. The leadership has to have that vision.
Water is elixir of life, true ! Growth of cities nowadays, is not in proportion to the available resources. Hence, future projects are to be pressed for diversion to another small city/place, where developmentAl scope is there after proper evaluation scientifically on the basic resources. Bangalore and other cities also for that matter are bulging. This overgrowth, I call it, as a concentrate at one city will only yield to fight at a future time.
Decentralise the concentration at one city is not good.
today 2 states are fighting for water, tomorrow it will be some other issue
when are we going to live in unity as Indians and not as divided citizens
Yesteryears, it was a case of perennial rivers;
Nowadays, it’s a perennial dispute for river waters!
When amidst plenty, everything is fine;
All the problems arise when we face shortage!
We should learn to share all natural resources in general and water in particular in accordance with availability.
When in plenty, water needs to be conserved and stored in lakes and ponds kept in condition, so that we can enhance water source.
Fighting with each other serves no purpose except loss of lives sometimes, and public property all the time, thanks to the anti-social elements!
May wisdom prevail and deal with the matter appropriately!
The editorial is an eye-opener to the reality!