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Nari Shakti Se Jal Shakti
Context:
India, which is facing a severe water crisis, has launched the Nari Shakti Se Jal Shakti initiative, a groundbreaking effort that taps into women’s leadership for water conservation.
Water is an essential resource that sustains life, agriculture, and industry. However, in many parts of the world, the availability of clean and safe water is becoming an increasingly urgent issue due to climate change, population growth, and unsustainable water usage practices.
The Growing Water Crisis in India:
- India is grappling with a severe water crisis, with projections indicating that nearly 40% of the population could lack access to clean drinking water by 2030.
- Agriculture, which consumes around 80% of the country’s water, is highly dependent on erratic monsoons, making water management especially challenging.
- With the ongoing global water crisis worsening, financial losses in lower-income countries could reach 15% of GDP by 2050, underscoring the urgency for comprehensive solutions to conserve water.
About:
- The Nari Shakti Se Jal Shakti initiative, meaning “Women power for water empowerment,” is a groundbreaking effort that leverages the leadership of rural women in water conservation.
- Community Engagement: The initiative encourages women to mobilise their communities to adopt water-saving practices, reduce wastage, and protect natural water bodies.
- Training and Education: Women are provided with training and resources to test water quality, implement rainwater harvesting, and manage water efficiently.
- Infrastructure Projects: The initiative supports projects like building check dams, reviving traditional water bodies, and adopting micro-irrigation techniques.
- Sustainable Development Goals: The initiative contributes to the United Nations-mandated Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
Case Studies of Success:
- Rajasthan: Women-led groups have successfully revived traditional water bodies and built check dams, which have improved groundwater levels and ensured year-round water availability.
- Maharashtra: Women have adopted micro-irrigation techniques, reducing water usage in agriculture while simultaneously boosting crop yields.
- Himachal Pradesh: Women have been active participants in rainwater harvesting projects, ensuring a reliable water supply even during dry seasons.
Empowering Women for a Sustainable Future:
- By involving women at the forefront of decision-making and water management, this initiative is helping to create a future where water security and gender equality go hand in hand.
- As leaders and change agents, women have the knowledge and experience needed to drive lasting changes in water conservation. The leadership of women ensures that water conservation strategies are sustainable, widely adopted, and beneficial to entire communities.
The initiative fosters collaborations between government agencies, NGOs, and local communities, creating a robust, sustainable model for water conservation.
