Water is the most precious, life-sustaining element of nature. It is essential for
all living beings to survive on Earth. Every year, World Water Day is celebrated
on 22nd March to raise awareness and inspire action to deal with water
problems across the globe. World Water Day 2023 in consonance with the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) will focus on accelerating change to
solve the water and sanitation crisis. The statistics and facts as to how deep the
water crisis is in our world today are staggering. But such information may
amaze us or at the most make us wonder how much longer we are going to
get clean water for drinking and other sanitation purposes. But water affects us
all and what we need is for everyone to take action. And no action is too small
when it comes to saving water. Let us understand it through this lovely and
simple story of a small hummingbird, that the United Nations Water is
reminding us of this World Water Day.
One day in the forest, a fire broke out. All the animals ran for their lives. They
stood at the edge of the blaze, looking at the flames in terror and sadness. Up
above their heads, a hummingbird was flying back and forth to the fire, over and
over again. The bigger animals asked the hummingbird what she was doing. “I
am flying to the lake to get water to help put out the fire.” The animals laughed
at her and said, “You can’t put out this fire!” The hummingbird replied, “I’m
doing what I can.” The hummingbird is helping solve the problem, one drop at a
time. She is the change she wants to see in this world. You can be a
hummingbird, too. The actions you take, no matter how small, will definitely
help solve the water crisis.
Your actions, no matter how small, can help solve the water crisis. Be the
change you want to see in the world. Choose your actions and stay committed to
it. Here are a few actions you can include in your list:
Save water: Take shorter showers, don’t let the tap run when brushing your teeth, do dishes, and use water consciously while preparing food.
Protect nature: Plant trees or create a rain garden- find solutions to store water. Discuss and take steps for rainwater harvesting.
Eat local: Buy local, seasonal food and look for products made with less water.
Flush safely: Fix leaking water in toilets and waste pipes, empty full septic tanks and report dumping of sludge.
Be aware: Talk with people about critical issues such as maintaining clean public toilets, safe drinking water, menstruation problems, improving water quality at home and public places, and waste management at treatment plants.
Clean up: Take part in clean-up drives of local ponds, rivers, wetlands or beaches.
Water affects all of us. Each one of us can do our part to make a difference.
Each and every person on planet Earth has a right to clean water. So let us take
action and be the change now!
“If there is magic on this planet it is contained in water.”—Loren Eiseley.
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