Speeches :
CARRING OF WATER IS EVERY ONE’S BUSINESS – ROTARY HAS A ROLE TO PLAY
Speech during Presidential Conference on Water Management at Kolkata, 10 Dec 2007
Water, water ,everywhere, Not a drop to drink- Samel Taylor Coleridge
How True !
1.4 billion people , that is 20% of the World’s population, lacks access to an adequate supply of clean drinking water.
31 countries currently face water scarcity; 
In developing countries, water causes 80% of illness. Each year 3 to 4 million people die of water bourne diseases.
By 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population will live in conditions of water shortage and one-thrird will face absolute water scarcity.
Water management is very vital issue for the entire mankind, particularly for our country when the population is rising rapidly. The increase in population and changing lifestyles has increased the need for fresh water tremendously.
The subject of water management has been selected for this conference with a view to create awareness and educate the people about the impending problems at the national and global levels. This conference aims to disseminate knowledge and techniques of water conservation and efficient use of water resources.
President Wilf Wilkinson has chosen this topic since the issue is very vital for peace and well being of the community. RI President encourages clubs to develop projects and activities that will help in providing adequate potable water to the community where they serve. This conference should serve as a catalyst for future action by the clubs in the country.
The per capita availability of water at present is about 1/3rd of what it was when the country achieved Independence. The country has been suffering from drought – flood – drought syndrome and hence the Government is propagating the need for proper utilization of water. It is of concern that the demand for quality water has out stripped the supply.
Many a time we have found that most of our fresh water bodies remain either contaminated or dry. Rain water, which is major source of water, is not duly harvested and much of it runs off to the sea.
The depleting ground water stocks are not replenished properly, as the ways in which rain water can percolate into the soil are sealed or hindered.
How can we combat the threat posed by the scarcity of potable
water? If we collectively resolve that and act to meet the challenge, the goal
will be attained without much difficulty. 
We have to live in harmony with nature. The green cover of the earth should be kept intact
Large scale deforestation has wrecked havoc on our eco-system and the origin of our rivers.
What can Rotary do in a situation that is charged with the emotions of the farmers and the community as a whole? The disputes about water sharing between states in India go to show that the fight over water is beginning to get bigger and bigger.
The riparian States don’t have unity. When the rivers started flowing there were no linguistic states in India and this man-made division is now taking its toll in the form of agitation and loss of life and property. In many big cities precious imported fuel has to be used to transport water to the residents.
What is needed is aggressive campaigning to bring awareness among the masses. We can save water by adopting simple measures. Use of drinking water should be only to cooking and drinking. Avoid using potable water in bathrooms. Check use of public taps for washing animals and domestic use such as washing utensils.
Enact law so that all commercial and residential buildings have well or bore-well for cleaning floors, washing vehicles and watering gardens.
A core team should be formed to check violations and for leak-proof maintenance of taps and pipe lines. The responsibility for water conservation does not rest with the authorities alone.
Rotary can play a vital role in villages and rural areas by taking up repairs and renovation of temple tanks and medium sized water bodies. Clubs can work in every village and educate the people on optimum utilization of the water resources available in their areas.
In big cities the urgent need seems to be popularizing rainwater harvesting. Models for this project have been developed and successfully implemented. Rotary clubs can take up the task of educating the communities and also implementing these projects in homes, apartments and in schools. It is reported that 90 in every 1,000 children die from water borne diseases.
We should ensure judicious use of available water, avoiding wastages and misuses. This is particularly necessary since the per capita consumption has been increasing considerably.
Concerted efforts on the part of all concerned – the public, the local bodies and the Government – is needed to find a lasting solution to the problem while ensuring distribution of water in tanker lorries or other means in areas that are badly affected.
Evolving various strategies to conserve rain water is the first step; this can be achieved by dis-allowing free flow of water in the rivers through the construction of check dams, afforestation in the catchment areas and stopping un-scientific sand mining.
Revival of other water bodies such as tanks, wells and canals in rural areas is also a step in the direction.
At the same time, the Government should take steps, including the enactment of laws, to prevent un-scientific reclamation of lakes and lagoons for purpose like construction.
In a larger perspective the conference will also discuss key issues relating to fresh water resources, interlinking of rivers, watershed management and water quality.
Harry Truman said, “Men make history and not the other way around.” Progress occurs when courageous skillful people seize the opportunity to change things for the better. Rotarians can make history if they pool their resources and make an impact and demonstrate that caring for water is everyone’s business.
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