The World Water Day was observed at Bilenjor village of Komna block in Nuapada district by NGO RCDC on Wednesday. The participants who ranged from various walks of life shared their concerns over the depletion of water sources and took a vow to preserve water resource.
The participants also expressed concerned over the high level of fluoride in the groundwater in a majority of villages of Nuapada district. “The sources of drinking water in a majority of villages in Nuapada district are tube-wells. But unfortunately, most of these sources are contaminated with a high level of fluoride, which is the cause of diseases like fluorosis,” opined experts.
The participants also discussed about the grim situation that the villagers residing on the banks of rivers and streams are facing. “Thousands of people are still dependent on natural flows of different rivers and streams in the district for drinking water and other purposes. However, the water flows of most of these rivers and streams are drying up after winter, creating water constraints for people as well as animals. Under such circumstances, it is our primary duty to preserve all water sources to save the humanity from extinction. let us take a vow to save water to save humanity,” they said.
RCDC district coordinator Hemanta Naik stressed on participation of local institutions like panchayats and gram sabhas in creating a better understanding among people as well as policymakers to work for preservation of water.
“Traditional water harvesting structures like Munda, Kata, etc., which were instrumental in recharging of groundwater and provided irrigation to lakhs of acre of cropland, are now in bad shapes due to lack of maintenance and renovation. The Government should take steps to renovate the structures,” said a participant.