70 percent of the world is covered with water, but only about three percent of it is potable water. 97 percent of the water is not fit for drinking. Now the whole world survives on three percent water. Data released by the Water Resources Ministry shows that the net amount of water used in a year in India is estimated at 1,121 billion cubic meters. Whereas the demand for drinking water may increase to 1093 BCM in the year 2025 and reach 1447 BCM by 2050.
Despite a population of more than 1.4 billion, India has only 4 percent of the world's freshwater resources. According to a United Nations report, the water crisis in India is continuously deepening. There are many states which have crossed the tipping point of groundwater depletion. The report estimated that the northwest region could face a severe groundwater crisis by 2025.
World Water Day is celebrated every year on 22 March to understand the importance of water and provide clean water. On the occasion of World Water Day, let us know who first understood the need for clean and potable water and the situation of the water crisis, as well as why and when the decision to celebrate Water Day was taken.
When is Water Day celebrated?
Water Day is celebrated globally on 22 March every year. Celebrating this day started in 1993.
History of Water Day
In the year 1992, the United Nations organized a conference on the issue of environment and development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. An initiative was taken to celebrate World Water Day on the same day. Later, World Water Day was celebrated for the first time in 1993. Since then, World Water Day has been celebrated every year on 22 March. In the year 2010, the right to safe, clean drinking water and sanitation was recognized as a human right in the United Nations.
The theme of World Water Day 2024
Every year a special theme of Water Day is decided. This year the theme of World Water Day 2024 is 'Leveraging Water for Peace'. The message being conveyed through this theme is that water can become a tool for peace when communities and countries collaborate on this precious shared resource.
Importance of Water Day
Life cannot be imagined without water, hence the statement that 'Water is life' is accurate. There is a water shortage in many places in the world. Due to rapidly expanding factories and population for development, the limited resources of water are being negatively impacted and water is being used excessively. People are facing water shortages knowingly or unknowingly due to water wastage and water pollution. World Water Day is celebrated to make the world aware of this problem, to stop the wastage of water, and to protect water from pollution.
(PC: iStock, UN)
