Water Woos - India's biggest problem - Bigger than Terrorism, Maoism and many others!!!

Surpirsed at the article heading? Not convinced? Want to know more?

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Sure!!!

In an article posted on Instablogs few months ago, I had shared some of the ancient methods of water storage

http://nirav27.instablogs.com/entry/indias-water-scarcityis-there-a-solution-check-out-india-s-ancient-scientific-methods/

Today, I share with you another case, which sends shiver down my spine; not for its intensity/ frequency, but for the simple fact that 'IT HAPPENED ACTUALLY' in India

As per leading newspaper's report, private guards are hired to keep water thieves away in Rajasthan

Water scarcity has hit the country so badly even before actual summer, that people don’t mind taking a life for a drop

1) Sparring over water took two lives in MP within a week

2) Water policing proved fatal for an 18-year-old girl in Indore a fortnight ago when her neighbour stabbed her five times for refusing to let him draw water from a tap at her home.

3) Ratlam resident Ram Singh whipped out a pistol and shot 33-year-old Ramchandra after he stopped Singh from drawing water from a borewell.

All this, when summer has just set in and threatenes to rage across the country for at least another couple of months.

In Rajasthan, if you are passing by some villages like Sri Kolayat, Khajuwala, Pugal or Bajju near Bikaner, security guards protecting tanks or even ponds is a common sight. These are also places where water theft has been rampant.

Shyam Lal from Khajuwala says the guards even keep animals away from quenching their thirst in the local pond.

“There are 8,000 villagers and they depend on this water body. So, we have hired four security guards to protect the pond round the clock. And the pond is also drying up. It hasn’t rained here properly for nearly five years.”

These guards also have the job of ensuring no family gets more than its share. Each family’s quota is decided based on the number of members in the household. “Often, villagers take away water using pipes and electric motors. But we keep check round the clock and keep outsiders and stray animals away from the water tanks,” said a guard.

A senior police official told TOI that cases of water theft for the purpose of irrigation was higher compared to stealing of drinking water. He claimed the police are also doing their best to keep water thieves at bay, but the villagers prefer to let private guards do the protecting. Even if it means pooling in hard-earned money to pay for it.

The educated, intelligent people like all of us - Me, You and everyone else reasing this article - need to start taking active, conscious and regular steps to ensure things do not go out of hand

Simple steps - Big gains

* Don't shave while letting the tap of wash- basin open

* Waste water from kitchen can be used to water plants

* Shut all the taps off while leaving for office, or while going

for vacation

* Ensure the supply tap to house water tank is closed on time, to

ensure there is no overflow and wastage of water

* Don't waste water for things like cleaning up windows, slidings,

grills etc. on a daily basis

* Use water sparingly for sanitation purposes...One line that I

heard, which I liked very much was 'If its yellow, let it

mellow - If its dark and brown, flush it down' (If anyone

doesn't understand this, drop me a note)