Water bodies are often seen as real estate which must be built on — that causes a cycle of floods and droughts

Source: The post is based on the article “Water bodies are often seen as real estate which must be built on — that causes a cycle of floods and droughts” published in “The Times of India” on 21st October 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Environment – Impact of global warming

News: The article discusses the changing relationship with water due to global warming and urbanization. It contrasts traditional Indian views with colonial perspectives. Modern practices, including medication and industrial waste, pollute water. Poor urban planning in the Global South leads to water issues. Solutions include ecological methods and modern science. The goal is a sustainable water future.

How is the relationship with water changing?

Global Warming’s Influence: Global warming is making water sources unpredictable, altering our interactions with this vital resource.

From Joyous to Crisis-Centered: Traditionally, water was seen as a nurturing element in India. Now, it’s often linked to crises like floods and droughts.

Colonial Impact: European colonials in India viewed water more as real estate or a tool. This shifted the perspective from water as life-sustaining to a utilitarian resource. For example, in Mumbai, valuable marshlands were built upon.

Health Concerns: Modern medication habits pollute water, leading to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This has changed water from a source of health to a potential threat.

Infrastructure Lag: In the Global South, rapid urban growth outpaces the development of water infrastructure, intensifying pollution.

Neglect of Ecological Knowledge: Earlier, drains used plants to purify water. Now, concrete structures prevent natural cleaning, altering the way we handle water waste.

What are the impacts of this changing relationship?

Water Quality Decline: Due to indiscriminate medication usage, water bodies are polluted, causing antibiotic-resistant bacteria to emerge.

Ecological Disruption: Modern urban planning often overlooks ecological methods. Drains no longer use plants that naturally clean water, harming aquatic ecosystems.

Loss of Wetlands: In the past, wetlands naturally filtered waste, enhancing farming and fishing. Many, like those in Hooghly, are now at risk or gone.

Increased Floods and Droughts: Chennai, for instance, faced floods in 2015 and water shortages in 2019 due to building over river systems and marshes.

Health Disparities: During colonial times, Europeans prioritized clean water for themselves, leaving native areas with contaminated sources.

Unsustainable Urban Growth: Cities in the Global South grow faster than their infrastructure, leading to widespread pollution, as seen across South America, Africa, and India.

What should be done?

Preserve Vital Ecosystems: Mangroves should be protected, as they play a crucial role in coastal areas.

Revive Nature-Based Solutions: Drawing from the colonial history of using wetlands for natural filtration, as seen in the Hooghly, we need to create and adopt modern nature-based solutions.

Improve Urban Infrastructure: Given the exponential growth of cities in the Global South, infrastructure, including roads and water systems, needs to be developed and upgraded.

Promote Waste Management: Introduce circular systems of waste management and segregate garbage to prevent pollution of marshes.

Harvest and Reuse: Encourage rainwater harvesting and the reuse of grey water to manage resources better.

Restore Traditional Practices: Drains once utilized certain plants for water purification. Such ecological knowledge should be re-introduced.

Focus on Upland Afforestation: Deforestation affects river volumes. Hydrological assessments and tree planting can mitigate this.