World Water Day

  • March 22, 2023
  • Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
  • Category: DPN Topics
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World Water Day

Subject: Environment

Section: International Conventions

Context: World Water Day is observed on March 22 each year to emphasize the significance of water and to create awareness about the global water crisis.

History

  • The United Nations General Assembly designated March 22 as World Water Day in 1993, following the recommendation made by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992.
  • The day has been observed annually since 1993 to raise awareness about the importance of freshwater resources and to promote sustainable management of water resources.

Significance of World Water Day

  • World Water Day is significant as it raises awareness about the global water crisis and emphasizes the importance of preserving freshwater resources.
  • The day promotes the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to provide access to clean water and sanitation for everyone by 2030.
  • World Water Day highlights the challenges related to water scarcity, water pollution, inadequate water supply, and lack of sanitation facilities.
  • By creating awareness about these issues, the day inspires individuals, communities, organizations, and governments to take necessary actions to manage freshwater resources sustainably and address water-related challenges.
  • Ultimately, World Water Day plays a crucial role in achieving water security, protecting ecosystems, promoting economic development, and improving the health and well-being of people around the world.

World Water Day 2023: Theme

  • The focus of World Water Day 2023 is on the theme of ‘Accelerating the change to solve the water and sanitation crisis,’ underlining the vital importance of taking decisive action to address the global water crisis.
  • According to the UN, there are billions of people, as well as numerous schools, businesses, healthcare centers, farms, and factories, who lack access to safe water and sanitation facilities. Therefore, it is imperative to move beyond the status quo and take swift measures to accelerate change and address this pressing issue.

Steps taken by Indian Government:

  • Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) envisages supply of 55 litres of water per person per day to every rural householdthrough Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) by 2024.
  • It comes under Ministry of Jal Shakti.
  • JJM focuses on integrated demand and supply-side management of water at the local level.
  • Creation of local infrastructure for source sustainabilitymeasures as mandatory elements, like rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and management of household wastewater for reuse, would be undertaken in convergence with other government programmes / schemes.
  • The Mission is based on a community approach to water and includes extensive Information, Education and Communication as a key component of the mission.
  • JJM looks to create a janandolan for water, thereby making it everyone’s priority.
  • Funding Pattern: The fund sharing pattern between the Centre and states is 90:10 for Himalayan and North-Eastern States, 50:50 for other states, and 100% for Union Territories.
  • For the implementation of JJM, following institutional arrangement has been proposed:
    • National Jal Jeevan Mission (NJJM) at the Central level
    • State Water and Sanitation Mission (SWSM) at the State level
    • District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM) at the District level
    • Village Water Sanitation Committee (VWSC) at Village level

Case Study:

  • Dharwad region: Under Jal Jeevan Mission, groundwater sources are recharged and augmented by revived ponds that act as village-level groundwater-recharge structures. Water from borewells is pumped and stored in overhead tanks.
  • North Sikkim:Facililated by the Jal Jeevan Mission, around 90 per cent of the households in the district now have functional household tap connections.
    • Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) have been formed in all villages that look after operation of installed pipelines and retrofitted works under the mission.
    • A nominal amount of Rs 50 is collected as service charge from every beneficiary household and deposited in the VWSC’s account to be utilised for maintenance of the system.

Groundwater in India https://optimizeias.com/decline-in-quantity-and-quality-of-ground-water/

UN Water Conference: https://optimizeias.com/run-up-to-un-water-conference/

Environment World Water Day