Tell-All
We asked: The rainy season has officially arrived, and every year, unimaginable quantities of rainwater are wasted due to a lack of water conservation efforts by both the private and public sectors. What immediate efforts must be made by us to save all that precious water which is uselessly flowing away in drains or flooding cities?
The arrival of the rainy season should bring joy and relief, especially in a country like India, where water scarcity is a recurring crisis. Yet each year, we witness millions of litres of precious rainwater flowing into drains, getting wasted or worse, causing urban flooding. This scenario underlines a painful truth: we are failing to harness nature’s most generous gift due to negligence, poor infrastructure and lack of awareness. Immediate action from individuals, communities and authorities is crucial to reverse this waste and create a water-secure future. Rainwater harvesting must be mandatory: One of the most effective and simple methods to save rainwater is rainwater harvesting. This involves collecting rainwater from rooftops and storing it in tanks or directing it into the ground to recharge groundwater. Every household, apartment complex, school and office building must be equipped with a rainwater harvesting system. While some cities have made it mandatory, implementation remains poor. Strict enforcement and public support are essential. Reviving urban lakes and water bodies: Many urban areas once had natural ponds, lakes and wetlands that acted as buffers during heavy rain and helped recharge groundwater. Sadly, these have been encroached upon or polluted. Immediate efforts must focus on restoring these water bodies, cleaning them and protecting them from illegal construction. These restored lakes can become powerful rainwater collection systems during the monsoon. Permeable infrastructure and green spaces: Cities are becoming concrete jungles. Roads, pavements and buildings do not allow rainwater to seep into the ground. This not only causes flooding but also depletes groundwater levels. We need to adopt permeable materials for footpaths and roads and increase green spaces that absorb water. Urban planning must include features like green rooftops, rain gardens and open parks. Public awareness and community initiatives: Citizens play a crucial role. People must be made aware of how much water is being wasted and how easily it can be saved. Community-led water conservation drives, workshops and school campaigns can make a huge difference. For example, residents’ welfare associations (RWAs) can take collective steps to build harvesting pits and maintain local drainage systems. Government investment and policy support: Governments, local, state and central, must invest in water conservation infrastructure. Municipalities should map rainwater flow, redesign drainage to direct water to recharge wells and build large-scale water retention areas. Policies should provide incentives and subsidies for installing rainwater harvesting systems in homes and commercial buildings. Technology and innovation: Smart water management systems can also help. Use of sensors, data tracking and mapping rainfall patterns can assist in directing water where it is needed most. Simple innovations like low-cost rooftop filters or modular storage tanks can make rainwater harvesting accessible even in rural or low-income areas. To sum up, the problem is not the lack of rain; it is the lack of preparation. While monsoon brings water in abundance, our inaction turns it into a wasted resource or a threat. By making conscious efforts, from installing rainwater harvesting systems to reviving old lakes and demanding policy changes, we can transform our cities and villages into water-smart spaces. Let this rainy season be the turning point, where we stop watching water go to waste and start saving every drop for a better, secure future. -H N Singh, Regional Member SPHEEHA; Director, Lions Club Lucknow, Kapoorthala
Water is one of the most vital natural resources, yet its availability is becoming increasingly erratic due to climate change, urbanization and poor water management practices. Rainwater, a renewable and often underutilized resource, presents a significant opportunity for addressing water scarcity. However, a large volume of this water is lost as surface runoff, particularly in urban environments where natural infiltration is hindered by impervious surfaces. Understanding how much water is lost and how much is stored, the role of vegetation in water retention and the steps various sectors can take for rainwater conservation is essential for sustainable water management. According to the Central Ground Water Board of India, only about 15% of the total annual precipitation contributes to groundwater recharge, and even less is stored in surface reservoirs. This demonstrates a large untapped potential for improving water capture and storage systems, especially in regions facing water stress. In cities, 80-90% of rainwater becomes runoff compared to rural or forested regions, where the percentage is considerably lower due to better infiltration and natural water retention systems. Vegetation plays a critical role in reducing runoff and increasing water storage through multiple mechanisms like increased infiltration, reduction of surface runoff and ground water recharge etc. Rainwater conservation requires a concerted effort from all sectors of society, like government agencies, local bodies, NGOs, public institutions and individuals. Proper policy and regulations, infrastructure development, public awareness campaigns, funding and incentives for water conservation activities, promoting home rainwater harvesting, planting trees and increasing green cover will result in more water conservation. Rainwater, though abundant and renewable, remains vastly underutilized due to improper planning, urbanization and lack of awareness. With nearly 60% of rainwater lost as runoff globally, there is an urgent need for multi-layered strategies that focus on reducing this loss and maximizing storage. Vegetation is a natural ally in this effort, playing a pivotal role in enhancing water infiltration, preventing erosion and maintaining ecological balance. Governments, public institutions, the private sector and individuals each have a vital role to play in conserving rainwater. Through coordinated efforts—such as policy enforcement, infrastructure upgrades, public education, technological innovation and grassroots participation—it is possible to make significant strides toward water security. Ultimately, rainwater conservation is not just an environmental necessity but a social responsibility. It ensures sustainable access to water for future generations, enhances biodiversity and builds resilient communities in the face of growing climate challenges. -Dr. Kuruvilla Thomas IFS-R, Administrative Member, Kerala Real Estate Appellate Tribunal
The rainy season has officially arrived and like every year, unimaginable quantities of rainwater will be wasted due to a lack of water conservation efforts by both the private and public sectors, as well as the government. Various water conservation activities can be undertaken to set a new example globally. We all know the threat that the natural water resources are facing, especially the freshwater resources. Rainwater harvesting is a traditional technique and method that has been around since ancient times, and with the evolution of humans as a species, we have not made the optimum use of the existing and newly developed techniques to save and conserve water. It is unfortunate to see millions of litres of fresh water going into drains right in front of our eyes every year. It is high time we make strategies and policies to make rainwater conservation a compulsion and not just an option. It is only then that we will be able to do something. There are water experts across the country and even globally who have always given their valuable suggestions and inputs, which can solve many of our problems as mankind. We are still building dams by clearing, converting and destroying existing habitats just to fulfill our greed in the name of need. The difference between development and sustainable development is simple: conservation and protection of what we have rather than trying to achieve what we don’t, as logically, the first one is easier and logical to achieve. One of the major problems conservation faces is the monetary valuation of the projects and actions taken. But we forget that 1 glass of free fresh natural water is actually priceless, this is similar to the comparison with the oxygen we get from a tree. Countries like Brazil, Singapore, Australia, South Africa and China have made significant progress in rainwater harvesting. India, too, is trying to do its best, but there is still a lot to be achieved. Sustainable water management is the future of water conservation and there is high scope for a country like ours to control, store, manage and supply rainwater. Storage, diversion and supply, if managed well, can do wonders and save and conserve water for a better and sustainable future. India has all the required expertise for rain water conservation, right from scientists to engineers and a full-fledged water ministry which, if empowered and administered well, has the potential to solve our freshwater problems. The exercise needs to be divided into remote, rural and urban areas and provisions made as per the requirements specific to the area. Infrastructure and facilities play a very important role in this, along with manpower and sufficient funding. Just like vertical farming is now trending, there should be rooftop water catchment initiatives. Keeping in mind the new development and construction projects, water harvesting, storage and conservation activities need to be given priority. Mankind has learnt and developed the art of processing and storing so many forms of energy and substances, right from light to food. Water will be a breakthrough. Another aspect that is currently in focus is the groundwater recharging in remote, rural, and urban areas. We have seen that percolation pits allow the recharge of groundwater resources. Therefore, in areas where this is possible, it needs to be implemented. There are various such initiatives of installation of ground water recharge percolation pits, which are installed in various societies, educational and corporate institutions, setting the right examples. Water, if channeled well through such initiatives, is seen recharging the borewells, a good medium of water storage, which can be of immediate use as well. -Adv. Pawan Satyaprakash Sharma, Founder & President – RAWW (Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare), Honorary Wildlife Warden, Maharashtra, State Forest Department, Member – Committee to Monitor Animal Welfare Laws in Maharashtra
There is only one natural factory for producing water, and that is precipitation. This makes the storage of rainwater essential for meeting our daily needs. However, only a small portion of rainwater percolates into the ground, while most of it flows off as surface runoff, eventually joining rivers and ultimately reaching the ocean. In the past, most houses were constructed using clay. To obtain this clay, people dug pits or trenches, which, during the monsoon, would fill with rainwater and help recharge groundwater. This was an effective and natural method for aquifer recharge and rainwater harvesting. Today, with rising demand for groundwater, these natural methods of aquifer recharge are rapidly diminishing and we are looking for artificial recharge. To ensure sustainability, we must take the following steps: Rivers should be desilted, river basins should be cleaned, ponds or pits should be constructed within the river basins and rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge of aquifers should be increased to utilize the maximum amount of rainwater. If properly stored, rainwater can adequately meet the growing population’s demand and help address the issue of declining groundwater levels. Many plans and policies are on paper, but unfortunately, no significant action is visible to store and utilize rainwater effectively at the ground level. Therefore, we all should come forward to store the rainwater in a meaningful way to conserve the water resource. In this way, we can contribute to the sustainability of the planet Earth. -Prof Dhruv Sen Singh, Head, Department of Geology, University of Lucknow
In water conservation, some of the steps one should undertake are: 1- Every house should have rain harvesting structures, depending on the carpet area. 2- In the future, construction should be approved only when the plans have provisions for rainwater harvesting. 3- The low-lying areas of the city should be identified and huge water harvesting pits dug, which hold the runoff water. It can be pumped out later. This would save the city roads from flooding. 4- The lakes and ponds that are encroached are to be identified and the encroachment removed, and the lakes restored. In this direction, the state government of Telangana created an authority, HYDRA, which monitors the encroachment and removes it in Hyderabad, restoring many lakes. 5- Foot paths can have perforated tiles to percolate water underground. 6- The trees in the city should have ‘thavla’. The base should not be cemented so that water is retained and percolates. 7- Most of the stormwater drains are either clogged or encroached. All these must be cleared, and their connectivity with low-lying lakes and ponds revived so that excess water is conserved and does not flood the colonies. While permitting the house construction and colony construction, the topography and the drainage of the area should be considered and free movement of water to nearby streams should be ensured. In-house plans, only the carpet area is considered for taxation. Instead, the entire cemented area should be considered for taxing. This may encourage people to leave some ‘kuchcha’ area around the house, which will help in water conservation. Afforestation of vacant lands is essential. People should be encouraged to take up orchards. Check dams and soil conservation structures in ravines and hilly areas will reduce erosion and improve water percolation. -K. Praveen Rao, IFS, Retired Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, UP and chairman, expert committee on materials, National BioDiversity Authority, Chennai
In the rainy season, a lot of water runs off and causes flooding and soil erosion. Ironically, globally, 210 crore people lack access to safe and clean water. Crores have to go a long way to fetch water for drinking. Given the water crisis, the United Nations has introduced Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6 or Global Goal 6) to achieve clean water and sanitation for all by 2030. Thus, water conservation has become an increasingly important factor in recent years to provide safe and affordable drinking water to all and access to sanitation and hygiene. Here comes the importance of rainwater management that includes collecting and utilizing rainwater for later use, reducing runoff and slowing down the flow of rainwater, preventing erosion and flooding, as well as recharging the groundwater water which again is a significant source of water for drinking, domestic, irrigation and industrial purposes. Rainwater harvesting is the collection and storage of rainwater rather than allowing it to run off. In the process, rain water is collected and redirected to tanks or some reservoir for reuse or sent to deep pits or boreholes to recharge aquifers for groundwater recharging. Groundwater recharge is vital for maintaining the water table that replenishes aquifers that serve as a crucial source of water for drinking, agricultural and industrial purposes. This recharge also helps sustain groundwater-dependent ecosystems like wetlands and streams, providing water for plants, animals and habitats. It also improves the quality of water by diluting pollutants and allowing natural filtration processes. As we are all experiencing excessive dependence on groundwater for drinking, irrigation and industrial purposes and lowering the water table underground, groundwater recharging has become vital. India is the largest user of groundwater globally. Almost two-thirds of India’s districts are threatened by falling groundwater tables. In many districts, it has fallen from 8 to 20 metres. To address the crisis, there must be awareness about conservation and recharging practices among the people, strict measures should be enforced to regulate groundwater extraction and recharge, and promotion of sustainable agricultural practices. –VP Srivastava, Member, Commercial Tax Tribunal (retd), President C-CARBONS
The arrival of the monsoon in India, while a blessing, also brings the significant challenge of managing excess rainwater and preventing its wasteful urban flooding. Both citizens and public bodies must make immediate and concerted efforts to conserve this precious resource. Here are immediate efforts that must be made: For individual homes and private establishments (residential & commercial): Rooftop rainwater harvesting (RWH): This is the most direct and effective method. Installation of rain barrels/storage tanks and groundwater recharge pits/borewells. Simple rain saucers/containers: Place large containers, drums, or even buckets in open spaces to collect rainwater for immediate use in gardens or for washing. Cleaning and maintenance: Regularly clean gutters, downspouts, and RWH filters to ensure efficient water collection and prevent blockages and contamination. Creating rain gardens: Design small, sunken landscaped areas in gardens with native, water-loving plants that can absorb rainwater runoff from paved surfaces or lawns. This helps filter pollutants and allows water to seep into the ground. Water-saving practices during monsoon: Outdoor cleaning: Use collected rainwater for washing cars, outdoor areas, or gardening instead of potable tap water. Irrigation reduction: Adjust irrigation systems or manual watering schedules for gardens and lawns, as monsoon rains will naturally water plants. Public buildings and institutions: Mandate and implement RWH systems in all government buildings, schools, hospitals and public institutions. Stormwater management: Design and maintain effective stormwater drains that direct excess rainwater to recharge points. Revival of traditional water bodies: Desilt and rejuvenate existing ponds, lakes and stepwells (baoris/kunds) to increase their water storage capacity and facilitate groundwater recharge. Check dams and bunds: Construct small check dams or bunds in appropriate urban and peri-urban areas to slow down water flow, prevent erosion, and allow more water to infiltrate the ground. Green infrastructure development: Promote and integrate green infrastructure like urban forests, parks and green spaces, which naturally absorb and filter rainwater. Waste-to-water solutions: Invest in technologies that can treat and reuse greywater and blackwater, reducing the reliance on freshwater sources and complementing rainwater harvesting. By implementing these immediate and sustained measures, we can collectively transform the challenge of monsoon runoff into an opportunity for significant water conservation, ensuring a more water-secure future for cities and communities. -Manoj Kumar Chaturvedi, a bank employee and animal activist, Lucknow, UP
The monsoon season brings much-needed relief from the scorching heat and rejuvenates the environment with its life-giving showers. However, it also highlights a glaring issue: the massive wastage of rainwater. Across cities and rural areas alike, millions of litres of fresh rainwater flow directly into drains, rivers, or flood city streets due to poor infrastructure and a lack of effective water conservation strategies. In a country like India, where water scarcity is becoming an increasingly pressing concern, this wastage is not just unfortunate—it’s unacceptable. Each year, we witness the paradox of flooded roads and dried-up taps in the same city. On one hand, urban areas face waterlogging, traffic disruptions and health hazards during the rainy season, while on the other hand, the same regions suffer acute water shortages during summer. This cycle repeats itself because we fail to harness the rainfall and instead allow it to go to waste. The core issue lies in the absence of large-scale rainwater harvesting systems, poor urban planning and a general lack of awareness among the public and authorities alike. We should promote and enforce rainwater harvesting (RWH). Rainwater harvesting must move beyond being a concept discussed in schools and government policies. It should become a mandatory practice in all residential and commercial buildings. Municipal corporations should provide subsidies or tax rebates to encourage individuals and housing societies to install RWH systems. In areas where it is already mandatory, strict enforcement and regular inspections are necessary to ensure compliance. Urban infrastructure must be upgraded. Most cities still rely on outdated drainage systems not designed to handle the current population and rainfall patterns. Urban planners must incorporate water-sensitive design strategies such as permeable pavements, green roofs and stormwater drains that direct water into underground reservoirs or recharge pits instead of sewers. Rejuvenating lakes and natural water bodies to store excess rainwater can also mitigate both flooding and water scarcity. Rather than depending solely on large-scale dams and reservoirs, each community or neighbourhood should be empowered to manage its own water needs. Local water bodies can be revived and maintained to store rainwater, while public spaces like parks, schools and playgrounds can be designed to act as water catchment areas during rains. Traditional water conservation techniques must be revived. India has a rich history of traditional rainwater harvesting systems like baolis, johads and stepwells that have stood the test of time. These methods, adapted to local climates and geography, must be revived and integrated with modern technology. Rural areas, especially, can benefit from such low-cost and sustainable solutions. Public awareness and participation must be raised. Public awareness is perhaps the most crucial factor in driving change. People must be made aware of the importance of rainwater harvesting and the role they can play in conserving water. Schools, community centres and social media platforms can be powerful tools to spread this message. Community-led initiatives, such as building recharge pits or cleaning water bodies, should be encouraged and supported. The government must take the lead in drafting stringent policies that prioritize water conservation, especially during the monsoon. Rainwater harvesting should be a prerequisite for building approvals and urban planning must be aligned with sustainable water management goals. Simultaneously, there should be clear accountability at the municipal and state levels for implementing and monitoring water conservation projects. While government and institutional actions are critical, individual efforts can collectively make a significant impact. Here’s what each of us can do: Install simple rainwater harvesting systems in homes and apartments. Avoid paving entire open spaces with concrete to allow rainwater percolation. Collect and reuse rainwater for gardening, cleaning or even flushing toilets. Participate in local initiatives that aim to conserve and manage water resources. The rainwater that floods our cities and disappears into drains is not a nuisance—it’s a gift we are wasting. With climate change leading to more erratic rainfall and growing populations increasing the water demand, the time to act is now. By adopting immediate and practical water conservation strategies, we can transform the rainy season from a source of urban chaos to a wellspring of sustainability. Let us not allow another monsoon to pass by while we watch gallons of precious water wash away. Instead, let this be the season where we begin to respect, collect and conserve the gift of rain. -Jaishree Chauhan, PhD scholar, Jigyasa University
Preserving rainwater can be done quickly with some practical and low-cost strategies. Use of rainwater harvesting systems (homes, schools, offices, gardens) will help in watering gardens, flushing toilets, washing vehicles, etc. Modular, prefabricated systems are easy to deploy without major construction. Replace or puncture non-permeable surfaces like concrete in sidewalks, parking lots, and playgrounds. Use of shallow vegetated basins to collect and filter rainwater near parking lots, roadsides, and low-lying areas is also a way out. It will help in reducing flooding, filtering pollutants and recharging groundwater. People should promote the use of rain barrels and tanks in homes and apartment buildings. Low-cost plastic barrels with mesh covers and pre-fabricated modular tanks in parks, schools, and public areas may help in the storage of water for community gardens or fire protection. Launching quick awareness campaigns will also help. -Dr Shikha Tripathi, Deputy General Manager, NABARD, Faculty Member, Bankers Institute of Rural Development (NABARD), Lucknow
First and foremost, the public needs to be made aware of the importance of water in itself. In cities, especially, the easy availability of water has made citizens forget what it could mean to lose this most precious resource. It is ironic that on a planet, 71% of the surface of which is covered by water, millions do not have enough clean, safe water to drink. This is because 95% of this surface is in the oceans and 2% is frozen in glaciers. Freshwater makes up only 3% of the Earth’s water supply and less than 1% of this is freely available for human use and consumption. The human body is composed of approximately 55% to 78% water. If water resources on the Earth were depleted, it would lead to a catastrophic collapse of ecosystems and ultimately, the demise of most life, including humans. Without water, plants would wither and die, leading to the massive collapse of food chains and ecosystems and the proliferation of diseases. In short, it is not just the conservation of rainwater; it should be a holistic approach towards the conservation of water from any source. Some conservation efforts are not far-fetched or multimillion-dollar, research-based. Simple rules implemented by local administrative authorities can effectively conserve millions of free falling water into an important resource which can be used for immediate purposes. It should be mandated that every new building have methods to collect and store rainwater runoffs. One such method is the rooftop rainwater harvesting. Here, rainwater is collected from rooftops and stored in tanks. It is a common and effective technique. Gutters and downspouts built along rooftops can be used to collect rainwater and direct it into storage tanks, cisterns or barrels. Ensure the rainwater is filtered to remove impurities before storage or use. This kind of water can only be used for non-potable purposes like watering plants, washing vehicles, or flushing toilets. Secondly, surface runoff at ground levels can be channelled into recharge pits and trenches that need to be manually created. Here, surface runoff water is collected and allowed to slowly infiltrate into the ground, recharging groundwater. Recharge wells can be constructed where there is space to collect surface runoff and channel it deep into the ground to replenish groundwater sources. Small check dams placed in stormwater drains can slow down water flow and allow for greater infiltration into the ground. Thirdly, integrated drainage systems should be designed while planning new buildings to incorporate rainwater harvesting components, such as storage tanks and recharge structures. It should be mandatory to ensure that excess rainwater is safely diverted to recharge areas or other suitable locations. Lastly, it is essential to engage and sensitise the community to participate in this activity. It should not or rather, cannot be only a government initiative. Educating the community about the benefits of rainwater harvesting and its role in water conservation should be made mandatory. Encouragement by the local bodies, through awards and rewards for societies that have successfully installed and managed rainwater harvesting, will be a positive reinforcement. Alongside, there should be strict punishable rules to make sure water is not wasted through leaking pipelines or even community events like rain dances during festivals. By implementing these methods, urban areas can effectively conserve rainwater, reduce reliance on other water sources and contribute to a more sustainable water future. -Shakuntala Majumdar, President, CPCA Thane
The arrival of the rainy season is both a blessing and a challenge. While nature generously provides abundant rainfall, much of this precious resource is allowed to drain off unused, due to poor infrastructure, lack of planning and limited public awareness. This annual cycle of water wastage stands in stark contrast to the growing water crises faced by many regions during dry months. Immediate, coordinated efforts by individuals, communities and governments are essential to harvest and conserve rainwater effectively. Rainwater harvesting is the most direct and efficient method to utilize rainwater. Homes, schools, offices and public buildings should install rooftop harvesting systems to collect and store rainwater. This water can be used for non-potable purposes such as cleaning, gardening, and flushing toilets, or with treatment, even for drinking. Governments should mandate RWH systems in all new buildings and retrofit existing ones, especially in urban areas where stormwater runoff causes flooding. Subsidies and technical support can help speed up adoption. Many cities once relied on natural lakes, ponds, stepwells, and tanks to capture and store rainwater. Over the years, these have been encroached upon, polluted or neglected. Immediate steps must be taken to reclaim and clean traditional water bodies, desilt and deepen ponds and lakes to increase capacity and reconnect stormwater drains to feed these natural reservoirs instead of leading directly to sewers. These restored bodies can act as buffer zones during heavy rain and serve as reservoirs during dry periods. In areas where rainwater cannot be stored above ground, it can be directed into the ground to recharge aquifers. This requires building recharge pits and trenches in public spaces, parks and roadsides, installing percolation wells in residential and commercial complexes, and encouraging industries to treat and use harvested rainwater in processes or recharge it underground. These measures help reduce urban flooding and replenish groundwater, which is depleting at alarming rates in many regions. Cities must integrate rainwater management into urban planning. This includes using permeable paving materials to allow water seepage, creating bioswales (landscape elements designed to concentrate or remove debris and pollution from surface runoff), building green roofs and vertical gardens that absorb rainfall, preserving and planting more trees and vegetation to reduce surface runoff. Such “green infrastructure” can absorb rainwater, reduce flooding and improve urban ecosystems. Technology and infrastructure alone cannot succeed without active public participation. Citizens must be educated about the importance of rainwater conservation through campaigns, school programmes and social media. Communities can form local water management committees to monitor and maintain local rainwater harvesting systems. There should be collective efforts for cleaning local water bodies. Knowledge and techniques should be shared among neighbourhoods. Engaging youth and community leaders is key to building a sustainable water culture. Governments at all levels must act swiftly to implement policies that encourage water conservation, such as making rainwater harvesting legally binding in all construction projects, penalizing illegal encroachments on lakes, ponds and drainage systems, offering incentives for buildings and communities that effectively manage rainwater and ensuring integration of water-sensitive urban design in all future city planning. Monitoring and accountability mechanisms must be built into these policies for real impact. Smart water management systems using sensors, GIS mapping, and weather forecasting can help predict rain patterns and plan accordingly. Authorities can use data to identify flood-prone zones and intervene in advance, optimize the placement of recharge pits and RWH structures and track groundwater levels and recharge outcomes. Harnessing data can turn reactive approaches into proactive water conservation strategies. -Rajashree Nair, Founder, Speartech Designs/ Interiors and Infrastructure, Bengaluru
The rainy or monsoon season offers weather that everyone waits for. It gives us relief from the heat during summer. But every year we can observe that rainwater is wasted, flowing away in drains or flooding cities. And yet, we can observe the shortage of water at various places from time to time. This problem must be addressed seriously by the authorities and the people in general. There are different ways to store rainwater which can be utilized for drinking, cooking, washing and gardening. Rainwater harvesting is a process of collecting and storage of rainwater for future use. It can be done through the rainwater harvesting method, so when it rains then the water from the roof goes into the pipe, which takes the water underground for storage. Rainwater must be stored in artificial canals. These canals can be designed and constructed for rainwater harvesting. It can be used for irrigation and domestic purposes as required when water is scarce. This method can help peasants or farmers when there is no rain. We can store rainwater in artificial dams, which can be used for numerous purposes when we require water for later use, but it should be filtered and purified before we consume it. Rain rainwater harvesting method must be taught and discussed in schools and colleges, as children are the future of our country. Authorities should spread awareness about it in offices and housing societies. It can be implemented effectively to conserve water during the rainy season. The government must make rainwater harvesting compulsory or mandatory in every home. This will improve the situation during a crisis or scarcity of water. Campaigns in every state must be organized throughout the year by authorities at public places to keep updating people about rainwater harvesting benefits to the people so that life can be made easier for everyone. Volunteers will be of great help to authorities for water conservation. They must be awarded by government officials for their work, which will contribute to the welfare of all. We should not waste water but store it in tanks, wells, lakes, and ponds. It can be used later on when required. Water is scarce in hilly areas, so the government must focus on the conservation of water in hills as well as other parts of the country. The government should chalk out the solutions to resolve the water crisis by preparing a list of those states where the problem is more. Water conservation is the need of the hour. Everyone must willingly make a sincere effort to save water, as it is vital in our daily lives. -Deepali Bahadur, Entrepreneur and proprietor of DB’Owns
Topic of the month: Are international efforts to reduce the rate of climate change being compromised by global warring zones like the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war? Is there a way out? You may send your views (either in Hindi or English) in not more than 800 words along with your latest pic to [email protected].
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