Indian subcontinent was once upon a time known for its rich natural resources including large river basins and clean water sources.  These rivers served as a major input source of water for villages, farming and countless animals.   Their survival was dependent on these sources and life was thriving on the basin of these rivers.  Even during the peak summers, the rivers never went totally dry and one could see green patches through which streams of water would flow relentlessly.   But this was the story 50 years ago in India.

With the turn of the millennium, construction industry, small as well as large have taken over these river bed sand which is now left with deep bore wells at discrete locations.  It is rather a pitiable site as there is neither water nor green patches, but these river beds seem to speak of some remnants of the lost glory in a most visual manner.  Lying scattered across miles of these rivers are plastic wastes and these river beds have just turned into waste dump yards.  One may occasionally see a plant or two on the way through these dead rivers through which once flowed unpolluted water. 

The same is the story from north to south of India or from east to west.   Between 1970-2000, these decades faced several challenges due to industrialization but it was during these years, the gradual diminishing of rivers were also witnessed.    The industrial wastes were indiscriminately thrown into these rivers causing severe contamination and loss of habitats in the nearby areas.  To this day, water samples from these areas are proved to test positive for lead, traces of mercury, and other chemicals.  In addition, un-monitored use of low quality pesticides have resulted in further contaminating the soil thereby resulting in severe health hazards. 

The main causes of water pollution in India include disposal of industrial wastes, household wastes, addition of chemicals for ground water treatment and uncontrolled and un-monitored use of pesticides in agriculture.  The farming community is educated on the use of these pesticides nor lessons on chemical treatments are taught to the public.  These should be regular interactions between the industries and the community through the corporate social responsibility programs.  These should include not only the farming community but also youths from villages, government officials.   The success of these programs should be monitored through some neutral agencies to prevent bias and thus feedback should be provided to the public on the success or failure of any given industry or waste disposal program. 

The farmers should stay focused on agriculture and should be encouraged on how they could do well in their own profession.  The government should play a critical role in maintaining the discipline of skill development in rural areas.  The farming community should not be lured into other businesses, but the government should help these communities sustain and thrive in their own areas of expertise such as agriculture and farming.  This will help the overall development that establish the foundations of healthy living such as pollution free environment, proper waste disposal and preserving sources of clean water. 

In the years to come, this will not be a choice anymore but a personal responsibility and commitment from all citizens without which sustaining life would prove to be difficult.

Image 1: dnaindia.com

Image 2:  futureindia.org