The World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness on the global water crisis as a core focus of the observance to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030. The theme of World Water Day 2021 is valuing water.

Caritas India organised an online event (webinar) on “Valuing Water Resources” on March 22, 2021, from 03.30 to 05.30 to commemorate World Water Day 2021. It was attended by 148 participants across the world. The value of water is much more than its price – water has enormous and complex value for our households, culture, health, education, economics and the integrity of our natural environment. If we overlook any of these values, we risk mismanaging this finite, irreplaceable resource. World Water Day is observed on 22 March every year since 1993 to focus on the importance of freshwater.

Fr (Dr.) Jolly Puthenpura, the Asst. Executive Director of Caritas India welcomed the gatherings and set the context of the webinar. He said, “water is under extreme threat from a growing population, increasing demands of agriculture and industry, and the worsening impacts of climate change. This year´s theme World Water Day is about what water means to people, its true value and how we can better protect this vital resource. The value of water is much more than its price. Water has enormous and complex value for our Household, Culture, education, health and integrity of our natural environment. Hence it is important to conserve, preserve, and protect water resources.”

“Our life cannot proceed without water. Our country is blessed with a lot of water resource but water bodies are in a sad situation which leads to a lot of water stress situation, droughts on the one side and floods on the other side are the irony of human life today”, shared Fr. Paul Moonjely, the Executive Director of Caritas India in his Keynote speech highlighting the importance of conserving precious water resources. He further said, How do we respect water resources, how to conserve, how to manage and how to make use of this rich resource responsibly so that it is being used in a more sensible way, responsible way so that everybody has a share for it. It is the responsibility of organisation like Caritas India to bring this core message to everyone that we value water and we work for the conservation and preservation of water. Making water as a commodity to make profits with huge margins denies the basic right to life in the form of denying water.

Dr. Baby V.K IAS (Retd.), International Water and Sanitation Expert, Advisor to Govt. of Kerala & WAFA highlighted the prospects of well recharging and harvesting. He said Caritas is known for its humanitarian work across the Globe. The value of water differs from different people, the value of water for a farmer, households, industrialists and for the future generation. Water is everybody’s responsibility but nobody is taking care of it. The government has come out with plenty of water conservation measures. It is the integrity of the Hydrological cycle that matters a lot like milk is connected to milkman, cow, fodder, water etc. Resources are limited but creativity is unlimited. We need a coevolving tool and efforts in water conservation. Rainwater recharging to wells through water injection proves to ensure drinking water security, minimum flow in rivers, salinity intrusion, improved water quality, health outcomes, downstream benefits which is cost-effective and simple local solutions to global problems

Dr. Sabita Madhvi Singh, Joint Director, National River Conservation Directorate, Dept. of Water Resources, Govt. of India narrated the policy implementation of the ministry and achievements of various water conservation/management schemes being promoted by the Government of India. Water sustainability is one of the greatest challenge faced by India and growing pressure on water resources from population and economic growth, climate change, pollution and other challenges have major impacts on our social, economic and environmental well-being. She has mentioned the national water policy and national water mission and explained the measures for sustainable development in water resources. Dr. Sabita narrated different schemes under the Swatch Bharat mission, catch the rain campaign etc.

Dr. John Arockiaraj, Team Leader of Dalit Development of Caritas India shared his experiences on Disaster Risk Reduction by promoting water management techniques in the context of Tamil Nadu experience. Dr. Haridas V.R, Theme Lead; Climate Desk, Caritas India explained the importance of catch the rain where it falls and mentioned that water is liquid gold. Mr. Ganshyam Jetwa, HOD, Programs, Caritas India facilitated the open forum and Ms Babita Alick, Operations Manager of Caritas India expressed a vote of Thanks. Mr Pradipta, Team Leader of CAFFS moderated the webinar which was started with a prayer by Ms Leeza of Caritas India.