What is World Water Day and why is it celebrated?

Every year, World Water Day falls on 22nd March and is instrumental in making us realize the
importance of water as a resource, as well as address issues pertaining to water scarcity and
other climatic perils pertaining to shortage of water. Essentially, this day is an opportunity to
learn more about water related issues, be thought provoked to tell others and look for
ways to lead a more sustainable, eco-friendly life. World Water Day is celebrated
globally to spread awareness and address the salient features of saving, recycling and
efficiently managing water. On this day, we at EarthFokus would like to educate you
about the traditions followed around the world on World Water Day and give you some
inputs on how to make this World Water Day count.

World Water Day was initially founded by the United Nations in 1992 at the United
Nations Conference On Environment and Development in Rio De Janeiro. Usually,
World Water Day is bestowed with a different theme for each year and is usually
focused on topics related to said theme. The theme for 2019 was “Leaving No One
Behind” which was centered around how women, children, indigenous people, refugees
and disabled people are often overlooked or neglected and are forced to travel
hundreds of miles, sometimes by foot, to procure drinkable water for themselves and
their family. The UN emphasised that the voices of the marginalized population must be
heard and their views must be included in the decision making process. The theme for
2020 was “Water and Climate Change”. This theme emphasised on water and climate
change and how the two were inextricably linked. The UN wanted to spread awareness
on more sustainable ways to lead life and water conservation.

The theme for World Water Day 2021 is “Valuing Water”. This theme is focused around
what the real value of water is, apart from today’s monetary value. “A conversation
about what water means to you” is also a part of this year’s theme and it is a highly
needed topic as today’s world fails to realize the magnanimity of the situation pertaining
to water scarcity. The grave importance and value of water exceeds far beyond
monetary value and leans more towards the survival of the planet itself. The value of
water is something that we should analyse and embed in our thought process as it will
help us sub-consciously save water in our day to day lives.

World Water Day is celebrated around the world in multiple ways theatrically, musically
or sometimes by just lobbying in nature. Many educational institutions around the world
conduct plays revolving around the importance of water, saving water and saving the
planet. In Kenya, children are taught about the gifts of water through dance and music.
In India, the Deputy Commissioner of Udhampur, has launched a truly unique and
thought-provoking campaign called “Catch The Rain”. This campaign has been opened
to the general public, students, and PRI’s (Panchayati Raj Institution – a rural local self-government in India) and they are to collectively put in each of their ideas for
conserving and judiciously saving water for future generations to come. The campaign
will also bestow the winners of the best ideas with cash prizes for the top 3 ideas.

These are some of the profound and commendable initiatives taken by individuals from
around the world to commemorate World Water Day and educate the masses on all the
right things regarding water. Here are some ways you can make this World Water Day
count :

• Educate your friends/colleagues/family on World Water Day, what it stands for
  and it’s various, distinct themes
• Read several blogs that are published by newspapers and magazines on World
  Water Day to educate yourself on all things universally known about water as a
  resource. Share the blogs to your social media handles and spread the
  knowledge.
• Make a promise to yourself that you will start conserving water in simple ways
  (i.e : Reusing water, installing water savers, etc)
• Drop a suggestion to your nearest school/college and encourage them to
  conduct a program creating awareness about World Water Day.
  Educate as many young minds as possible about the importance of water
  conservation as they are the minds that will shape a more hopeful and
  resourceful future.

On this note, we the folks at EarthFokus wish you a very happy, thoughtful and green
(or should we say blue?) World Water Day! Let’s all work hand in hand for a bluer
planet.