Water is one of the most essential resources.
All ancient civilization thrived near rivers.
India has been a water surplus nation for the past 5000 years.
Yes, we have had our share of cyclical floods and droughts.
As a landmass, India receives the second highest rainfall next only to the Amazon basin in Brazil.
Bhagiratha is said to have brought Ganga to this earth.
Indians with their ingenuity and perseverance had built a series of rainwater harvesting and irrigation systems across the length and breadth of this nation. These water management systems have been constructed, designed and maintained for well over 5000 years.
We have failed to understand these wonderful system and have abused it, which obviously has resulted in water shortages, in our generation, inspite of the good rainfall we have been receiving every year.
This capsule analyses and understands the above. It also brings out the remedial steps and water conservation techniques to be adopted at:
- the individual level
- Local community effort
- Govermental work
- Joint effort of people and government.
The capsule ends with a note of warning, if we do not pay heed and act now, collectively, we will have to fight for water.