Why Community Participation Is Essential For Water Conservation Organizations In India

1. Why Community Participation Is Essential For Water Conservation Organizations In India ngo working for conservation of biodiversity , water conservation organizations in india India suffers from significant water-related problems for a nation of its size. According to a 2018 Niti Aayog estimate, by 2030, over half of India's population of approximately 600 million people may experience acute water scarcity. Additionally, the nation has poor water quality. The amount of polluted water in India is close to 70%. The two main pollutants are nitrate and iron. India's groundwater supply is gradually running out, which makes issues worse. Groundwater levels have been recorded as "critical" or "over-exploited" in 256 of 700 districts. Community involvement can be an excellent approach to directly involve people in the conservation effort and better prepare them to combat climate change along with ngo working for conservation of biodiversity. India suffers from significant water-related problems for a nation of its size. According to a 2018 Niti Aayog estimate, by 2030, over half of India's population of approximately 600 million people may experience acute water scarcity. Additionally, the nation has poor water quality. The amount of polluted water in India is close to 70%. The two main pollutants are nitrate and iron. India's groundwater supply is gradually running out, which makes issues

2. worse. Groundwater levels have been recorded as "critical" or "over-exploited" in 256 of 700 districts. Community involvement can be an excellent approach to directly involve people in the conservation effort and better prepare them to combat climate change. Why Community Participation Is Important? Every conservation endeavour depends greatly on the support of the local community. A community-driven water conservation organization in India initiative makes sure that the people, who control their lives and means of subsistence, are directly accountable for their activities. In contrast to policy-driven conservation initiatives, which solely take into consideration a legal and judicial framework, such water conservation organization activities are symbiotic and allow for grassroots reforms. Therefore, as opposed to latent policy-driven reaction, a community-driven initiative can foster behavioural response and a sense of entitlement that can serve as a catalyst for actual action. Concerned citizens and other NGO's are attempting to find a solution to the looming water catastrophe. The Pune-based Watershed Organization Trust has affected 3.8 million people and farmers throughout India by working in as many as 3754 villages. "Participatory watershed development and ecosystems restoration," "climate resilient sustainable agriculture," "integrated and efficient water management," and "climate change adaptation" are all hallmarks of their discussion approach. They are well renowned for hiring Jal Sevaks, local volunteers who keep an eye on water conservation activities in neighbouring communities. The Jal Sahelis are a similar volunteer organisation that operates in the Pani-Panchayats of Bundelkhand. This movement is noteworthy because it has sparked a cultural shift in an area known for its conservative attitudes toward women's leadership and activity outside of the home. Along with preserving ponds, the ngo working for conservation of biodiversity initiative also resulted in the construction of kitchen gardens and raised awareness of gender equality by involving women directly in gramme panchayat meetings and water resource decision-making. How To Involve The Community? ● Any community-driven strategy must include education as a key component if it is to bring about social transformation. The purpose of education in the conservation effort is to raise awareness of the immediate advantages that the public may obtain from their collective action while making sure that young children are taught about their environmental responsibilities. Water Harvesting: In several regions of the country, water harvesting through borewells, check dams, and rooftop water harvesters has been quite successful in restoring aquifers. Numerous NGO's have taken steps to involve local communities in conservation activities. Through various rainwater gathering plans, Gurujal's Catch the Rain initiative actively engages the community in water conservation. Community toilets: The Swachh Bharat Mission is addressing open defecation as a major sanitary issue that contributes to airborne diseases in the nation. 2019 saw the country's open defecation ban lifted, however conflicting information claims that many restrooms lack running water and maintenance. Low flush toilets that are maintained by the community and water conservation organization in India can help to further improve sanitation standards and the sanitary situation. ● ●

3. ● Women's Representation: According to a 2018 UN research, data from 61 countries indicates that women and girls are responsible for collecting water in 80% of families without access to it. Girls' access to education is further hindered by the load of water collection. However, with only 17% of the workforce in the Wash (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene) sector in underdeveloped nations, women are underrepresented in technical and decision-making roles. Any society can benefit from an inclusive communal approach that considers women's issues, such as participation, education, and cleanliness. Economic Incentive: Since there would not be any immediate economic benefits from encouraging significant changes, conservation is frequently disregarded. A good source of revenue for aquaculture and irrigation can be found in ponds and lakes. Water retention during drought-prone months can also be facilitated by conservation techniques like check dams and rainwater collection. This water can then be economically used for industrial, agricultural, commercial, and residential purposes. Practical Motivators: Both rural and urban areas are increasingly experiencing water scarcity. Ponds and other still waters can help the groundwater naturally rehydrate. Water can be made more accessible all year long inside a gated housing complex by using incentives for rooftop water harvesters. Instead of being seen as a tax burden, water conservation can be promoted as a solution. Therefore, incentives for the practical benefits might boost community engagement through policies. ● ● Closing Remark There is a very serious danger from global warming and impending water scarcity. Although the foundation of a policy cannot be questioned, bureaucratic delays and red tape make policy revisions cumbersome. Community involvement and any ngo working for conservation of biodiversity is essential in instilling the significance of environmental issues among people for grassroots improvements to take place. Large-scale infrastructure projects, like sewage treatment, can be an efficient way to purify water for an alternative water source, but they are also expensive and may even have negative environmental effects, as shown by several large-scale hydroelectric projects in the past. Therefore, before deployment, thorough ecological studies are required. On the other side, community initiatives like pond restoration, borewell upkeep, and check dam construction are retroactive measures that have been in place for previous generations. These techniques have been shown to successfully prevent water crises with little expense and no negative environmental effects. Additionally, community involvement can successfully promote a sense of shared ownership, belonging, social harmony, and gender equality while encouraging active participation. With the community members as the stakeholders, it may result in the creation of public goods and urban commons like lakes, ponds, and rainwater harvesting systems.