Good Water Management
Editorial . . . . .
Nearly 71 percent of the earth’s surface is covered by water, while the seas hold 96.5 percent of all the water on the planet. Water has the potential to be the most renewable natural resource. It can be found in a variety of places, including the air as water vapour, falling from the sky as rain, rivers and lakes, ice caps and glaciers, as well as soil moisture and aquifers.
Water may be found almost everywhere, and it is used in almost every human activity. However, obtaining freshwater is difficult. “Only 3% of the world’s water is freshwater, and two-thirds of that is tucked away in frozen glaciers or otherwise unavailable for our use,” according to the World Wildlife Fund. The problem, according to Fiona Harvey, an environmental journalist for The Guardian, “is that most of the earth’s water resources are inaccessible, and those that are accessible are unevenly distributed across the planet.”
Droughts, floods, and heatwaves have been caused by erratic and changing weather patterns all over the world. The ever-increasing population, increased human demand for water, abuse of water, and increasing pollution have resulted in a decline in freshwater supplies as well as subsurface aquifers. All of these issues lead to water scarcity, which is caused by a lack of natural resources, inadequate infrastructure, limited access, and institutions’ failure to assure a consistent supply of water.
Many conflicts have been fought over natural resources, particularly water, throughout human history, according to empirical research. Indeed, experts and analysts have predicted that the next great conflict with global ramifications will be fought over water on numerous occasions. The world’s natural freshwater resources are dwindling, and the value of water is rising, increasing the chances of additional water disputes.
What does this alarming worldwide water situation imply for the people of J&K? Is the Jammu and Kashmir people and their leaders treating the region’s freshwater source with respect and dignity? Are adequate safeguards in place to protect our water sources from pollution? Are the government, community, and institutions investing in water infrastructure to assure a steady supply of clean water?
Despite the fact that our cities and villages are located near water sources, they continue to experience severe water shortages, especially in the Jammu region. Water distribution is currently essentially non-existent, employs primitive technology, and lacks long-term strategic planning. As a result, state institutions concentrate the water delivered to a town’s select colonies, while private water carriers charge outrageous fees. The bottom line is that a lack of good water governance has had a significant impact on water management, conservation, and distribution.
Water management is obviously a critical concern for which the government and communities must work together to develop common and relevant solutions in the form of a transparent policy that will aid in the better management of freshwater resources, infrastructure, assets, and water use in Jammu and Kashmir. Good water governance for J&K must be developed by policymakers in collaboration with bureaucrats, universities, water experts, intellectuals, and community representatives. This strategy must set equitable, realistic, and long-term water policy goals and put them in place so that our people have access to safe, regenerative water. Most importantly, good water governance entails broad community participation and the development of public trust and confidence.
As a result, it is necessary to use water wisely and to make it a priority for everyone. For sensible use of water resources, we must place a specific emphasis on appropriate water management measures, including greywater management. We are the guardians of water resources, and protecting these natural riches for future generations must be our primary concern and motivation. The LG administration, along with the national government, is implementing a number of initiatives, such as the Jal Jeevan Mission, to ensure water conservation and access to safe drinking water for our inhabitants. To guarantee that water resources are maintained and managed appropriately, we must all focus on effective water management.
