WAR for Water ---Not the Usual!

When I saw the article, WAR for water, in the latest issue of the Frontline magazine, the immediate thought was the usual debate among the progressive thinkers of the world, including the United Nations about the possibility of a future world war over water—

‘A future war over water is a distinct possibility,’ Klaus Toepfer, then director-general of the United Nations Environment Programme had said in an interview published in Environmental Science & Technology in January, 1999.

But, NO this is about India’s new mission for solving water shortage problem…

The Winning, Augmentation and Renovation (WAR) of water resources – a plan of action by the Ministry of Science and Technology following a Supreme Court directive in a matter of public interest litigation [Writ Petition (C) No 230 of 2001]

We know the history of water wars between Indian states, with only tribunals left to resolve inter-state disputes. Even as the Centre knew tribunals cannot solve the water problem or the disputes, matters were just left as it was; water being a state issue. The root cause of disputes – the water shortage problem itself – remained unaddressed.

So WAR finally is about the some positive action from a national level. A major technology mission to:

Find out inexpensive methods of converting saline water into fresh water
Find out methods of harnessing and managing monsoon rainwater
Manage flood water
Do research in rainwater harvesting and waste water treatment so that water may be recycled
Recommend any other methods, including those for the protection and preservation of wetlands and related issues

And issuing the directive to Ministry of Science and Technology, as the report suggests, is expected to establish a systemic process by which viable technical solutions that can be deployed are identified and implemented. The mission, which is expected to be completed in July- August 2011, will conclude with a report indicating the nature of water problems in different parts of India and the suitable technologies and associated management prescriptions for solving them.

WAR for water – in this International Year of Biodiversity…it does make sense, if the government did make the connection or not.....

Now, will the commission, the report and plan of action slip into the usual red-tape and governmental and executive indolence??

For once, let’s do away with our citizenry cynicism – we ought to do that at times!

And participate productively –

After all, using water judiciously is our responsibility and is in our hands!

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