By The Editor
Water is highly essential for life and without it human existence is in peril. Therefore it is to be noted that this precious liquid should be preserved at all cost by taking good care of water sources. Total quantity of water on earth remains constant and as population increases demand for it also rises. As human civilisation grows there is great demand for water to irrigate farms, to generate and store power, to increase fish production in fisheries, and for industrial purposes as well as for recreational activities. Advanced countries have used water to make deserts fertile. Dams are constructed to control floods and to restore water for various needs so that it is not unnecessarily wasted. Hence water management is of great importance to ensure constant supply for commercial and domestic uses. Till date exploitation of water for drinking requirements from seas and oceans is negligible since it requires heavy investment and thus become very expensive.
As population grows and standard of living improves the requirement for water also rises. But problem of water pollution worldwide is becoming chronic which is a matter of great concern. Polluted water is unfit for drinking, is harmful to fish and wildlife, and cannot be used by some factories and industries. Residents throw garbage carelessly and allow human wastes to flow into streams and rivers causing danger to life and health. Thus humans indirectly are great enemies of nature which they should realise and accordingly amend the style of living before more danger ensues. Weed killers and pesticides sprayed on crops are washed by rain down into water sources which calls for greater attention in future regarding timing of spraying and checking of water bodies at regular interval so that if necessary water can be treated first at treatment plant before use. Human carefree attitude and negligence knowingly or otherwise has caused immense damage to water sources all these past decades.
According to census the top five states in terms of number of water bodies are West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Assam all together constituting about 63 per cent of total water bodies in the country. Odisha’s position at all-India level in terms of number of water tanks is 3rd, in terms of ponds and reservoirs is 4th and remains at 5th position in census of lakes according to census of water bodies conducted by Jal Shakti Ministry, Government of India. The census also found that substantial number of water bodies in Odisha are not in use because of drying up, siltation, salinity, destroyed beyond repair and other reason. Commenting on census report, Ranjan Panda, a water activist, popularly known as waterman of Odisha lamented the decrease in number and quality of water bodies due to human irresponsible actions and he called for better management henceforth.