Water to Earth Campaign Launched in Mumbai

Written by Anna da Costa / 24 March 2010 / Read Anna da Costa's latest blog entries.

“Each of you can be environmental soldiers, and together we can form a green army” said Vinod Shetty, Director of the Acorn Foundation, to a group of cheering children at the launch of the Water to Earth Campaign this Monday in Mumbai.

Organized by the Acorn Foundation and the American Centre at Mahim Nature Park, the campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of water conservation amongst students in Mumbai. It brought together children from the Kamraj and Sant Kakaya Muncipal Schools in Dharavi and RBK International School, Chembur.

To bring the message of water conservation and protection to life, singers Shankar Mahadevan and Suneeta Rao wowed the kids with water songs.

Mumbai, like many parts of India, has been facing acute water shortages in recent years; with last July’s shortages reported to be the worst since 1966. In fact, city residents were asked not to play Holi this March year in respect of the shortages.

Driven by a growing population, weak infrastructure and poor water management, the challenge in Mumbai is immense. Sporadic monsoon rainfall last year has caused Authorities to cut water supplies by 30 percent. “There is one water tap to every 100 families; lack of water is a major problem” Mr. Shetty highlighted at the launch.

We were reminded that there are many simple things we can do as individuals to conserve water.  These include turning the tap off when brushing our teeth and washing clothes, minimizing the amount of water we use for our baths, taking care with how much water is used in the garden and being careful to repair leaking taps. Most of all though, it is being aware that water is a precious and limited resource, and to share this message with others; preferably while singing, dancing and clapping hands, if the kids’ response to Shankar Mahadevan and Suneeta Rao was anything to go by!

To go a step further, waste water reuse and management are essential longer term mechanisms to improve water availability and sanitation.  More information on all of these solutions can be found here: http://www.ecoindia.com/education/water-conservation.html