Understanding urban water scenario

The importance of water is yet to dawn upon most Indians. Various campaigns in different parts of the country, efforts by the government, media stories about water crisis and the plight of all rivers, notwithstanding, criminal neglect of the water sector continues. Be it drinking water in millions of homes or in hotels and other uses like factories, agriculture–all come from the very limited fresh water available to the mankind—0.5 per cent. Over 96 per cent water lies in seas and oceans and is salty; of the 3 per cent of fresh water available, much is locked up in ice, snow and glaciers. So, we are forced to rely only on the 0.5 per cent water for our survival. Is this not a very scary situation on hand for a fast-developing economy?

Well-known authors Harini Nagendra and Seema Mundoli who had earlier published the highly readable book ‘Cities and Canopies—Trees in Indian Cities’ that focused on a chosen set of species of trees in cities and the need to protect them. In their new and scholarly work – almost in the same shape, size and style – the authors who teach sustainability at the Azim Premji University, Bengaluru have argued the case of water conservation through protecting the wetlands in urban areas while providing rich histories of rivers and their current state of affairs.

They say water is a ‘sticky’ liquid. Water molecules adhere strongly to each other, giving water the highest surface tension of all liquids. Water may be one of the most abundant molecules on earth, but little is fit for consumption. Most aquatic life thrives in a pH (potential of hydrogen) range of 6.5-9.0, while drinkable water lies in the pH range of 6.5-8.5. Yet, factors such as acid rain and chemical pollution have altered the pH of water bodies, the author duo tell readers.

The book is divided into 24 informative chapters, some of which deal with cities such as Bengaluru, Guwahati, Udaipur, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata—highlighting their respective past and issues faced by the people today due to mismanagement. Starting off from Yamuna and its pathetic state, despite which, as authors point out, many boatmen make money from the dirty waters of the Ganga tributary, the book takes the stock of step wells in various cities ( Is All Well in our Cities) and give us insight into some of the best designed, quaint wells. ‘ Mohenjo-daro had over 700 circular brick-lined wells–one well for every three houses’ we are told. As cities grew, more wells were dug in different parts of the world; some were artesian, connecting to underground springs which filled the well with clean water.

‘Few of Bengaluru’s wells now remain. Most are polluted, crumbling and no longer in use. They lost their importance when piped water began to be provided to the city in the 1890’, aver authors. But then in most cities the well scenario is the same.

‘Thankfully, cities like Vijayapura have begun to revive their wells. When Jodhpur experienced severe drought in 1985, citizens came together to clean up Tapi Bavadi. The revived bavadi began to provide water during drought. After a heavy monsoon in 1989 the local water supply improved and the bavadi was again neglected. However, in recent years, INTACH, Mehrangarh Museum Trust and elderly Irishman Caron Rawnsley have cleaned up and revived many Rajsathani wells’.

In Udaipur, two iconic waterscapes Pichola and Fatheh Sagar Lakes comprise the cultural, social and economic core of the city. Tourists visits these lakes which are also great bird habitats. There are many others Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar and Dudh Talai—and several majestic stepwells and open wells. But authors talk about destruction of Aravallis by mining activities. Soil from denuded hilltops is silting the lakes, they say. Legend has it that Pichola Lake was built by a banjara (gypsy) who transported grains. Finding that his bullocks were unable to cross the stream, he built a dam to create a pathway. Other accounts however say it was in 16th century, Uday Singh built the lake. Incidentally, efforts are currently on to declare Udaipur as a Wetland City, just like Indore, with two Ramsar Sites and Bhopal which has Upper Lake, declared as Ramsar Site, in 2002.

Talking about Guwahati, authors regret the shrinking of famous Digholi Pukhuri and say a state which is surrounded by water (Bramhaputra river) is facing crisis. Gradual disappearance of water bodies in Guwahati is resulting in near-extinction of its aquatic wildlife. The Chennai water scenario has been captured like this: From December 2015 to June 2019 (3.6 years), Chennai transformed from a flood-ridden disaster zone to a city that was bone dry. By end of 2015, water had flooded the roads, boats were taken out to recuse the stranded; by mid 2019, Chennai was using goods trains to import drinking water from other towns.’ This underlines the importance of the water which is finite. Such writings will hopefully raise the awareness level among people for conserving water and water bodies for tomorrow. The book also talks about the pros and cons of river interlinking projects, something government is pushing vigourously without realizing the inherent dangers.