World Water Day is held annually on March 22 as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis, in support of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030. The major goal of the day is to raise awareness and motivate people to manage freshwater resources sustainably, as well as to learn more about issues related to water, such as water pollution, scarcity, inadequate water, and lack of sanitation, and to take the necessary action to make a difference.
Meghalaya known for its stunning landscapes with breathtaking waterfalls might be the perfect destination to soak up all things water. Abundance of rainfall might have given rise to an intricate network of rivers, streams, and waterfalls but clean fresh water is steadily decreasing.
Concerns now abound over water quality and environmental degradation as seven major water bodies in Meghalaya have been identified as polluted by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board. These waters, Umkhrah and Umshyrpi rivers in East Khasi Hills, Kyrhukhla river, Lunar river (a tributary of Lukha) at Myndihati in East Jaintia Hills, Umtrew river (Byrnihat) in Ri-Bhoi, Myntdu river (Jowai) in West Jaintia Hills, and Nonbah river (Nongstoin) in West Khasi Hills, have traditionally sustained generations but the water quality has been steadily declining due to unchecked waste disposal, sewage discharge, encroachments and industrial waste.
These are not the problems seen today or yesterday. In the last few decades or so, the state started facing serious problems of water pollution as none of the towns have any wastewater or sewage collection and treatment systems. Dumping of garbage in the rivers is also another source of pollution. Unorganized mining activities, mainly coal on a large scale in almost all the parts of the state are another major sources of water pollution and contamination.
Meghalaya is already at the threshold of climate change, which has started altering the distribution and quality of natural water resources. The government has stepped in to launch efforts to rejuvenate over 741 critical water sources that are drying up due to the adverse effects of climate change and promises to implement corrective measures. However, it also takes collective and responsible efforts by each individual to understand our usage and reduce our wastage.
Earlier, both the state and central government were trumpeting about the Jal Jeevan Mission, now facing a challenge to ensure water flow with sources drying up. The state promises that rejuvenation work is under way, the outcome of which will be seen in a couple of years. In the meantime, it is time for the state and its citizens to follow the Union government’s slogan, “Catch the rain where it falls”. Valuable natural resources have already been ransacked and plundered. If heaven’s not high, greed will push one up to plunder even the sky. Nonetheless, let’s hope rain is sufficient and let every single drop be saved.
