BE KIND TO OUR RIVERS

The total volume of water in the global water cycle is estimated at about 138.4lakh square kilometer. Around 97.6% of this is saline, or saltwater, found in the oceans, and is unfit for drinking. This is probably why someone dying of dehydration in the midst of an endless expanse of sea water, lamented,  “ Water, water everywhere and  not any drop to drink”. About 2.5% of total volume  is fresh water.  However, 75% of this fresh water is locked up as polar ice caps and glaciers. What is finally available for human consumption is not more than 0.01% of the world’s water. Globally, the supply of fresh water is fixed. Now we realize how precious this life-giving water is.

Those of us who have lived on top of mountains have experienced how tough it is to fetch water from the village springs. It has not helped that the deforestation and denudation have reduced the quantity of water which, even in the best of times, barely met the consumption needs of the village. It does not help either that water, now turned into commercial commodity, is now bottled and sold in the market. Now there are owners of water points. What we have all along taken for granted, as nature’s bounty and public good,  is no longer free in many places. No wonder we are told that the next wars will be fought over fresh waters. It won’t be surprising if the skirmishes have already begun in some pockets in the form of rivalry.

In the context given above, it is pertinent to question ourselves if we have treated our rivers and streams well or have been abusing them instead. Consider the Lanva river, for instance. This has been synonymous with drinking water supply to our town since we were small kids. Sadly,  however, as of now, I see the river being stifled, silted or occupied by aggressive settlers along its course. The catchment areas are barren and dry. We mine the river for the stones and boulders to convert them into building materials. Instead of the clear water we used to see as children, we now see a polluted, contaminated, muddied stream in the process of being choked to death. As if this is not enough, we dump our garbage into the river.

Nor have we been any kindlier toward other rivers which are now over-fished either by use of gelatin explosives, dipping electrified wires into the water, or through various highly toxin forms of chemicals or plants. Gone are the days when people fish with hooks or nets. Now greed and acquisitiveness rule the day, rendering our streams and rivers unfit for consumption.

Blaming the authorities- another name for the government agencies and their officials- for the many ills afflicting us is one pet hobby we seem to relish and indulge in. True, they have their share of the blame for the mess. However, we also have to examine our own attitude and conduct. How have we been treating the environment and the fresh water sources  we have in our midst? Can we think in terms of actually reversing the degradation and nursing the rivers back to life? Can each of the villages along the rivers take responsibility and start with the following actions:  

a) Stop throwing rubbish into the river
b) Stop encroachment into the river bed
c) Stop use of explosives/toxins/electrified wires for fishing
d) Stop mining the rivers for stones and boulders for commercial purposes
e) Stop selling water springs to business houses(thus depriving common people free use of water points)
f) Stop others from abusing the rivers and water points
g) Reforest the catchment areas

Or else have this!