The theme of World Water Day 2024 is ‘Leveraging Water for Peace,’ collaborating to solve water-related issues creates positive outcomes and builds resilience to shared challenges.
When water is scarce or polluted, or when people have unequal, or no access, tensions can rise between communities and countries.
More than 3 billion people worldwide depend on water that crosses national borders. Yet, only 24 countries have cooperation agreements for all their shared water.
As climate change impacts increase and populations grow, there is an urgent need, within and between countries, to unite around protecting and conserving our most precious resource.
Public health and prosperity, food and energy systems, economic productivity and environmental integrity all rely on a well-functioning and equitably managed water cycle.
Key messages for World Water Day 2024
Water can create peace or spark conflict. When water is scarce or polluted, or when people struggle for access, tensions can rise. By cooperating on water, we can balance everyone’s water needs and help stabilize the world.
Prosperity and peace rely on water. As nations manage climate change, mass migration and political unrest, they must put water cooperation at the heart of their plans.
Water can lead us out of crisis. We can foster harmony between communities and countries by uniting around the fair and sustainable use of water – from United Nations conventions at the international level, to actions at the local level.
World Water day 2024: Water Crisis in Banglore leads to no rain dance, no pool parties this year
World Water Day, celebrated on March 22 every year, is an occasion to realise the importance of freshwater, especially this year amid the ongoing Bengaluru water crisis. The tech hub is facing an acute water shortage due to failed monsoons and drying groundwater resources.
Amid the ongoing water crisis in Bengaluru, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has now imposed some rules for the Holi celebrations in the city on 25 March. The board has urged commercial and recreational centres to not use Cauvery or borewell water for pool parties or rain dances to celebrate the festival of colour.
BWSSB Chairman V Ram Prasath Manohar said that it is mandatory for commercial establishments, apartments, restaurants, luxury hotels, industries, and public areas to have aerators in their taps.
“From March 21 to 31, a voluntary 10-day window is provided for aerator installation,” he said adding that beyond the window, non-compliant buildings will face mandatory installation.
Manohar also requested the residents of Bengaluru to “voluntarily adopt aerators” and said licensed plumbers will be ready to assist as needed.
He also stressed at the affordability of the aerators, and emphasized that targeting key areas like the wash basins, kitchens and handwashing stations can curtail wastage of water effectively.
In the order released by the BWSSB, it wrote, “Organising entertainment like rain dances and pool parties for commercial purposes is not advisable at this time. Using Cauvery water and borewell water is prohibited in the public interest,” as quoted by India Today.
Today is #WorldWaterDay!
Take a look at Earth’s freshwater through the eyes of the @USGS @NASA_Landsat satellites, which have been helping us track our planet’s most precious resource from space for 50 years.💧 pic.twitter.com/5A8WbR0JwR
— NASA Earth (@NASAEarth) March 22, 2024
All about world water Day
World Water Day is an annual event celebrated on March 22nd. It was established by the United Nations in 1993 to draw attention to the importance of freshwater and advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. Each year, World Water Day focuses on a specific theme related to water conservation, access to clean water, and environmental sustainability.
The day serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about water-related issues such as water scarcity, pollution, sanitation, and the impacts of climate change on water resources. It also encourages individuals, communities, organizations, and governments to take action to address these challenges and promote the sustainable use of water.
Various events and activities are organized around the world on World Water Day, including seminars, conferences, workshops, clean-up campaigns, and advocacy initiatives. These activities aim to educate people about the importance of water conservation and inspire them to contribute to efforts aimed at ensuring access to clean and safe water for all.