by Vidya Syam

Created on: March 21, 2009   Last Updated: March 22, 2009

As important is "air" for life on earth so is "water". Water is an indispensable constituent of survival of all known species as well as a valuable resource for our economy. Water has no substitutes. Irrespective of this fact, the quantity of water polluted in the modern world highly surpasses its requirement and usage. Preservation of both fresh and salt water ecosystems should be one of the cornerstones of environmental protection. Every human being should have an optimistic outlook towards prevention of water being contaminated.

About 70% of the surface area of earth is covered with water out of which only about 3% is potable. Almost two-thirds of the potable water is embedded in glaciers and sea ice leaving approximately just 1% suitable for living organisms. Water makes up 60-70% of the human body. But the amount of assorted pollutants from varied sources has been a major concern to the purity and free-flow of water thereby leaving behind only a negligible quantity for human consumption.

It is merely beyond our imaginations to survive without water in the world. Mr.Lester Brown, President and founder of the Earth Policy Institute argues that "there are substitutes for oil but there are no substitutes for water". Humans are polluting and depleting the water resources and converting them into massive deserts thereby leading to global warming. Agricultural and industrial usage of pesticides and harmful chemicals contaminate water creating major health hazards. Human interferences through construction of dams, deforestation, trading and transferring of water to great distances through pipelines, significant wastage of water for domestic routines, greatly influence insufficient water supply.

Many countries in the world are seriously affected due to shortage of water. Modern society, however, interferes with almost all aspects of hydro-logic cycle. Extensive use and demand for water by the ever-increasing population has led to eutrophication, falling water tables and rising temperatures which has further altered the precipitation mix.

What should we, as educated people, do to stop the looming crisis of water depletion? It is high time we redefine ourselves by joining hands in creating a pollution-free environment to cease the upcoming anarchy. It takes only fraction of a second to dirty the environment but it will take innumerable years to rectify the same. As dedicated citizens, it is our duty and responsibility to protect and conserve our natural resources before they eventually disappear. " Water, water everywhere, not even a drop to drink " should only remain a hypothesis.

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