Accelerating Change to solve the water and Sanitation Crisis with Ancient Indian Technique - A write-up by Funlishian Tuhin Kanti Ghosh

 

It is a well known that our Earth, despite having ¾ of its surface covered by water doesn’t have enough water for humans. The reason, also known, is that 97 percent of it is saline water which is unusable.

Of the 3 percent we do have, the expanding human population wasted and polluted much of it continuously to make way for water and sanitation crisis.

In the recent years we have realized this and started to work to change it. But the change is not being able to keep up with the constant damage. Hence comes the need to accelerate it. While large projects like building dams help in accelerating change, small changes collectively make a much bigger impact. For example, fixing a leaking tap wasting 500 ml of water a day may not seem much but if all millions of citizens fix their taps, then in just a day millions of litres of water and rupees will be saved. There are numerous ways in the internet for saving water that you can do.  

Another way to accelerate change can be found in our rich culture and history. The ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Chinese and especially Indus valley civilization found ways to ingeniously conserve water for times of crisis. Waterbodies like man – made ponds have always played an important part of conserving water in Indian culture. They were found all over India. The ponds and waterbodies not only harvested and stored rainwater, they also replenished groundwater levels. The ancient people also developed an elaborate system of canals to help in agriculture unlike modern agriculture where much of the water is taken from the ground. Wells were used only in the desert and barren areas. Despite being a river blessed country with many rivers, the ancient Indians never took water for granted. 

As for sanitation problems, the Indus valley was the only one which had a proper drainage system. First of all, drainage system in villages and rural areas are still not available and where they are, they so poor that they flood even in light rains and contaminate all portable water in waterbodies and storage tanks. The spread of waterborne diseases also occurs.  Thus proper drainage systems must be built that is able to drain rainwater to avoid flooding . Second, proper water filters should be added in houses to prevent spread of diseases. Lastly clean public toilets should be established and maintained. 

Today, though, we are wasting and polluting water without giving any thought. The ancient system has declined over the years, resulting in dropping groundwater levels and high-water stress. The consequences have already started and we have to take action now .