Water, water everywhere

" Water, water everywhere", that famous quote from Coleridge's great poem entitled "The Ancient Mariner" is ideally suited to the theme of the blog today. Indeed, as befits the praxis of many a so-called 're-search' scholars, it may appear partially quoted. Surely though, it is not out of context, unlike many a theses and/or research papers!

Well, these prefatory remarks should have indicated that the theme of the blog today deals with water as befitting the world water day  celebrated exactly a week ago. No, discussing water woes is never late. Yes, like so many scarcities which, moreover, affect the environment and the very quality of life in  major ways, the scarcity of potable water is a world wide worry. In fact, as in interior parts of Maharashtra, such as Marathwada, water, whether potable, or for daily use or for farming purposes, is scarce, and not only during scorching summers.

If such are the water woes in those parts of Maharashtra, other parts of Maharashtra such as the coastal Konkan or the upland Sangli-Kolhapur face inundation every monsoon. In other words, water, water is the issue everywhere. Sure, the Chief Minister did reveal a grand plan of regional river linking programme. Hope it materialises fast, and soon.

Circa 2016, Amir Khan's Paani Foundation  had mobilised a unique movement through  community participation which made people responsible for 're-storing' the water table with monsoon water in unique ways such as, during the summer months, digging, desilting water reservoirs in and near farmlands, building bunds, unlike the bitterly contested dams, and so on.

Similar attempts have been reported in rural Rajasthan as well. As water bodies invite the migratory birds and help both big and small wild animals during the harsh summers, such attempts, often initiated by committed individuals, such as Anil Bishnoi and Prem Bishnoi, are most welcome.

Water, one of the natural resources absolutely essential for life itself, is a worry the world over. As water bodies as diverse as rivers and the seas, too, are suffering pollution in various ways, the attempts to save them from deterioration are in full swing, too, and the  world over. Hence the drives for re-forestation!

If water woes are not to result in tears or in riots, addressing the worrisome water problem everywhere is the need of the hour. 

Pratima@ Anand Malligavad, known as the "Lake Man of India," is a Bengaluru-based mechanical engineer who has dedicated his life to reviving and restoring water bodies, particularly lakes, using ancient and easy to maintain water management techniques from the Chola dynasty.

 He has successfully revived numerous lakes in and around Bengaluru, using techniques that include desilting, rainwater harvesting, and creating natural ecosystems. His techniques replicated in many places across India would indeed ensure "water, water, everywhere".