BY THE EDITOR
Water is highly essential for all living beings without which they will wither and die. We need water to drink and quench our thirst. Water is needed for cooking food, washing and cleaning clothes, agricultural purposes, industrial production, etc. In brief, water can be considered as the source and preservation of life. As population increases and so also requirement for water rises people exploit groundwater to meet the growing  need of agriculture. From time to time Government of India has taken note on the value and depletion of ground water by introducing relevant schemes for repair, renovation and restoration (RRR) of underground water resources. However due to human reckless and greedy activities like wanton felling of trees and unplanned exploitation of underground water net results are climate and global warming change pose imminent danger to humans and all living species.
The clock is ticking fast and reminds everyone that unless and until awareness and remedial measures are immediately undertaken the world maybe heading to disaster and ruin. The beautiful Dal Lake in Kashmir which attracted great number of tourists in earlier years is shrinking fast due to drought and excessive heat. On the contrary, heavy and unexpected downpours have been responsible for floods causing great calamities to life and properties as recently seen in Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim. Hence unscientific exploitation of ground water for irrigation, and drilling in residential areas especially in towns and cities should be curtailed before any further damage happens which may be quite huge. Experts and environmentalists have issued warning that the world is approaching six imminent dangers- accelerating extinction, groundwater depletion, mountain glacier melting, space debris, unbearable heat, and an uninsurable figure. This is evident from what we as people observe like the vanishing wetlands and gradual disappearance of lakes and water sources.
For many years northwestern region of India has served as the breadbasket for nation’s ever growing population. The states of Punjab and Haryana have fed and supplied the country’s need for rice and wheat producing 50 per cent of rice and 85 per cent of wheat during all these years. But 78 per cent of wells in Punjab are depleting due to over- exploitation and at this rate the future is grim not only for the region but also for the country at large. India is the world’s largest user of groundwater exceeding the use of the United States and China combined. Saudi Arabia is also facing the same threat like India. To avoid catastrophe scientists and environmentalists have advocated right policies as early as possible and implementing them rigorously. For a start the easy and not so-costly practice is tree plantation which should be rigorously adopted and encouraged to all sections of the people especially students and youths. Planting is not enough but care and attention too are essential. In the educational institutions ecology and environmental knowledge are to be stressed.