Man ki baat: Climate change, Water and Habitat: The looming crisis:
Yesterday I was hearing to Mann ki Baat of Prime Minister Narendra Modi (http://www.thehindu.com/news/live-modis-mann-ki-baat/article8631525.ece). The hon’ble Prime Minister acknowledged the water crisis of many state and urged the citizens to be cautious. therefore it is necessary that every drop of water be saved. In a recent discussion with Renowned scientist Anil Kakodkar, the nuclear scientist stressed upon some of the wasteful habits of we Indians, and how water is wasted from kitchen to the sink and toilets. Lakhs of tonnes of water is used every day in every home to flush out toilets and wash clothes, isn’t incumbent upon us to change such wasteful methods ?
Therefore the warning from the PM is quite timely and the nation must wake up for this natural threat emanating from climate changes that could have effects on water and Habitat. Surprisingly, many of the institutes, organizations and NGOs allthough are working in the area of climate change but are not focussed on this particular aspect.
The relationship between climate changes and habitat is not new but there is very little awareness in the country regarding the same. Recently there was a news about huge migration taking place from the drought hit region of Bundelkhand. (http://www.news18.com/news/india/lakhs-migrate-from-bundelkhand-without-any-dream-or-money-1221232.html). While Latur, has been known for such problems as it got media attention due to train carrying water to it, (http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/second-water-train-chugs-into-maharashtras-drought-hit-latur-1398136) , there are many other regions in the country which are also undergoing similar fate. Let us therefore take the problem with all its seriousness that it deserves.
First and foremost, climate change and its impact on water and human habitat is here about to stay whether we like it or not accept it or doubt it. The year 2016 is also critical for the same as there are events and phenomenons ( http://scroll.in/article/808356/2016-is-likely-to-be-the-worlds-hottest-year-heres-why) suggesting that mercury will hit new record this summer, already 51 in some part of the country. The link given above gives a very good reason and also a figure showing how climate change has grown from virtually non existent problem to a full grown issue from the last two centuries.
Therefore whatever means it takes to conserve water, protect environment and sustain habitat needs to be taken. Under the umbrella of UN, a conference, Habitat III will be taking place in Quito Equador in octber this year (https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.php?page=view&type=13&nr=1411&menu=1634).
The Habitat III preparatory process started in September 2014 and will continue until the third session of the Preparatory Committee for the Habitat III Conference in Surabaya, Indonesia, in July 2016. The zero draft has been prepared on the basis of inputs from broad regional and thematic consultations, as well as the policy recommendations elaborated by the policy units and comments thereon received by participating states and all stakeholders ( https://www.habitat3.org/file/529099/view/578792).
Ministry of Housing and Urban poverty Alleviation (HUPA), ministry of earth sciences ( MOES), and MInistry of Environment, forest and climate change (MOEFCC) have certain stakes in the area and have been working over the years. Teri, IARI, Tfac etc. are some other organizations who are closely associated and have been working on various aspects of climate change. However there is a need much more efforts and at a much faster rate to cope up with the challenges that nature is throwing against the human beings. The question is not about who is at fault but simply human survival and controlling human habitation when droughts and water scarcity becomes a real crisis forcing humans to fled from their traditional areas to other areas in search of food and shelter.
