The three main natural sources of water are:

• Precipitation – Rainfall, Snow, Hail, etc.
• Underground Water – Aquifers & Rock formations that trap water.
• Surface Water – Streams, Lakes, Rivers, Oceans etc.

As we stand at the cusp of a time where we can either retrieve the planet for mankind or lose it by allowing matters to go out of all possible control, every individual must reflect on our way of life and decide on the course of action that can truly present a sustainable planet for our future generations.

Starting this, we shall explore a series of issues that can bring focus on water and explore ways to understand these. Also, see how all of us can become stake holders in the management of water. After all, the journey of water consumption starts with our homes.

I start from my home state – Karnataka. A land abundantly blessed with ample rains, lush flora and fauna, many rives, tens of thousands of lakes and streams, and vast coastline. A limitless possibility of becoming and remaining a water positive state forever.

But the reality today is stark & alarming.

A report from Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) on the Water Quality Classification of Polluted River stretches during the year 2018-19 will jar all stakeholders from the state of ennui – farmers, entrepreneurs, government, urban citizens, rural masses, et al. This is because all of us need water to live in. Future planning has no purpose without water.

Such is the seriousness of the problem that emergency measures may well be needed to tackle issues on war-footing. Nothing less will do.

Arkavathi, Lakshmantirtha, Malaprabha, Tungabhadra, Bhadra, Cauvery, Kabini, Kagina , Kali, Krishna, Simsha, Kumaradhara, Netravathi, Yagachi – are the fourteen rivers surveyed at 40 stations in Karnataka.

The results for March 2019, as per the annual report published by KSPCB is summarized below:

1. There is not a single stretch classified as A. It means none of them qualify as a drinking water source without conventional treatment but after disinfection!
2. Only two rivers, Kumaradhara and Netravathi, have stretches that qualified for Classification B.  It means only these two qualify for bathing (not drinking). Rest of the 12 rivers DO NOT qualify for even bathing!
3. Six rivers, Lakshmantirtha, Malaprabha, Cauvery, Kabini, Kali, and Yagachi have stretches that qualified under Classification C. It means these can qualify for drinking water source with conventional treatment after disinfection!
4. Stretches of Tungabhadra, Bhadra. Krishna, Simsha, and Tunga are classified as either C or D.  One notices an increasingly consistent trend of D Classification amongst many of these river stretches. It means that this water is only suitable for Propagation of Wildlife and Fish culture!

An important aspect of this report is that KSPCB has tested the water for only 4 parameters – Dissolved Oxygen, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Fecal Coliforms and Total Coliforms.

One is cynical as to why only these four parameters were tested. Was it to present even a marginally better picture of the mess? Or to focus on a few parameters and work on a continual improvement plan?

Perhaps and hopefully, giving a benefit of doubt, we will presume that the intent is the latter and strategies are framed to fix these. To ensure a foundation for good water health is laid, which would be amenable for further refinement.

However, going forward, the alarming nature of this problem can be a motivation for the society, in general, to understand these aspects and engage actively to ensure a focus on the resolution. Engagement can be by way of:

• Asking questions on various platforms such as social media or public meetings held by Pollution Control Departments or to our MPs/MLAs etc.
•  Understand if there are specific action plans to mitigate the identified problems
• Keep an eye on how the plans are being executed.
• Continuous interaction with the elected representatives, bring issues to their notice, get matter clarified or insist on them monitoring the progress and report.
• Adopting methods to conserve, save and efficiently use water.
• Share success stories on various platforms & motivate others to adopt.

Such and many more active engagements by ordinary citizens in these matters can ensure that water can be kept in focus at all times.

Now, that the Central Government has a new Ministry of Jal Shakti, which is a consolidation of ministries dealing with Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation. It would be timely if there is a massive mobilization in citizen engagement in all matters related to water so that the vision is achieved in a collaborative manner.

After all water lies at the core of sustainability. And for us in India, any river is revered as a Mother.

Post Script:

The Mountain Stream.

Born out of the earth, bubbling out of a rocky outcropping, small and gently flowing, as if reaching out to the world beyond. Flowing with a firm insight. Not dithering, not hesitating. Beginning its dharma of sustaining the living as well as the non-living as it has been doing for time immemorial.

Flowing down through roots of flora that sprouted by her touch. Capturing the essence of the curative roots. Sparkling. reviving. Revitalizing anything and everything that partook of her.

Joining others, all of them came together. All born out of the mountain. From several wombs. Merging and gaining strength. A rivulet now.

Then together through more streams and lakes, absorbing abundance, giving, and gathering.

Now the river-rushing forward in all its glory. Towards the distant horizon- Ocean, the Karmic destination. Approaching Mortality. Finally merging into the vast and deep. Its journey accomplished.

Now, the spirit of the stream. Caressing the sun. Drop by drop. Collecting in the sky. The seeds of life. Merging into one another.

Bursting out of one womb. A billion seeds. All journeying the same path. As the seeds from the very beginning. Reaching deep into the empty wombs of the earth. Coming together. Replenishing. Getting pushed and moving forward. Always adding up to more. Moving through the same path. From the innards. Up to the mountain. Incessant.

Finally emerging out of the same portal. In that rocky outcropping, small and gently flowing out. Born out of the earth. An immortal being.

Water. That elixir of life. Herself, caught in the karmic web of birth, death, and rebirth. But quenching the purpose of existence here.