Rain Water Harvesting - A Need Of The Hour

Ludhiana, July 11, 2015: Shri Avtar Singh, President & Shri Upkar Singh Ahuja, General Secretary, Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings (CICU), Ludhiana today said that ongoing rainy season witnesses the huge wastage of water.  It also displays the ignorance of the people about their unawareness of value of water.  Everyone can see the flood-like situation on roads in almost all areas of the City.   On the one side, this situation causes traffic jams on the road, and on the other side, the ground water level is depleting in the State.  Water level situation in Punjab is very alarming.

Shri Upkar Singh Ahuja said that in light of the above, it has become the dire need of the hour to adopt ‘Rain Water Harvesting’ technique as this is a strong tool for Water Conservation.  He told that for the installation of this project on a 5000 sq. ft. on roof area, it does merely cost about Rs.50,000.  He said that anyone can visit CICU Complex. Focal Point, Ludhiana and see the similar ‘Rain Water Harvesting’ Model Building that has been made in the CICU’s Complex.

In June’ 2012 – In Punjab Legislative Assembly the Irrigation Ministry shared its  concern over the depleting water level as follows:-

?  Water level in 85% of land of the State was declining very speedily.

?   Presence of nitrate has risen from 0.5 mg/litre (1972) to 5 mg/litre (2012) & is expected to touch the level of 10 mg/litre by 2020.

?  That water in Punjab will cease to be potable for humans and animals in the next 20-25 years and the presence of nitrate up to 10 mg/litre renders it unfit for drinking.

In Sep. 2013 According to Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), said the paucity of water for irrigation is emerging as the "biggest challenge" for the Indian agriculture sector.  It states that:-

?  70% of the cultivable land is irrigated through tube wells and for producing one kilogram of rice, Punjab consumes 5,400 litres of water, whereas West Bengal consumes only 2,400 litres and it is what that is causing groundwater level in Punjab to recede by 33 cm every day.

Mr. Upkar Singh Ahuja further said that unfortunately this Most Valuable Freely Made Available God Gift’ is flowing uselessly.  He also revealed that in case we do not adopt the Rain Water Harvesting, our next generation will be affected and face the problems of water scarcity in future.

So he advises to all to understand the following benefits of ‘Rain Water Harvesting’ and adopt it as part-and-parcel of life:

?    It improves the Quality of Ground Water

?    It raises the Water Level in the wells & Bore wells which are continuously

?    drying up

?    It mitigates the effects of drought and achieves drought proofing

?    It is an ideal solution to water problem in areas having inadequate

?    Water resources

?    It reduces the soil erosion as the surface runoff is reduced

?    It helps to save energy as if we need to lift the ground water, one

?    Meter rise in water level saves about 0.40 kilo watt hour of electricity

In his concluding remarks he narrated that the Water is more precious than Gold or even Diamond & Kohinoor.  But people are unable to understand the value of this Basic Source Ornament (Lifeline) of all species on the earth.  The reason behind this is free availability of water.  Also human need not required to work hard to earn the water like food and other materialistic items.

So, he called upon all to adopt the ‘Rain Water Harvesting’ Technique and save this invaluable Natural Resource for the well the being and benefit of the forth coming generations of all species.