World Water Day, held on 22 March every year since 1993, focuses on the importance of freshwater. World Water Day raises awareness about the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis. A core focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.
History of the Day
The idea for this international day goes back to 1992, the year in which the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro took place. That same year, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution by which 22 March of each year was declared World Day for Water, to be observed starting in 1993.
Later on, other celebrations and events were added. For instance, the International Year of Cooperation in the Water Sphere 2013, and the current International Decade for Action on Water for Sustainable Development, 2018-2028.
Theme of World Water Day 2022
We know how important groundwater is for us. Hence, Groundwater, making the invisible visible is the theme of World Water Day 2022. Groundwater is water found underground in aquifers, which are geological formations of rocks, sands and gravels that hold substantial quantities of water. Groundwater feeds springs, rivers, lakes and wetlands, and seeps into oceans. Groundwater is recharged mainly from rain and snowfall infiltrating the ground. Groundwater can be extracted to the surface by pumps and wells.
Importance of the theme
Life would not be possible without groundwater. Most arid areas of the world depend entirely on groundwater. Groundwater supplies a large proportion of the water we use for drinking, sanitation, food production and industrial processes.
Exploring, protecting and sustainably using groundwater will be central to surviving and adapting to climate change and meeting the needs of a growing population.
Water Conservation efforts by Corporates
- The DS Group (Dharampal Satyapal Group) is committed to improve water security in areas identified as critical and water vulnerable. The Company has undertaken water conservation as the mainstay of its CSR initiatives. DS group has initiated a water conservation project in Sikar, Rajasthan. The group has constructed over 22 check dams in the area with a total water harvesting capacity of 411587 Cu M of water since 2013.
- Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL) is one of the certified water conservation companies and is emerging as leader in water conservation not only in the region but also at national level. Hindustan Zinc, a subsidiary of Vedanta Group has been declared water positive company. Giving emphasis to water conservation, the company has worked on the sustainability of water resources.
- In 2016, Grundfos identified two SDGs as the company’s primary focus. Since then, have been globally working towards contributing to SDG 6 to ‘ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all’ and SDG 13 on climate change. They plan to save close to 50 billion m3of fresh water by 2030 and actively contribute to the provision of safe drinking water to 300 million people in need.
- Water is one of the ‘champion causes’ across the Hinduja Group for its multifaceted CSR activity. In 2020, the group contributed Rs. 34 crores towards water conservation, restoration and stewardship. Through the Jal Jeevan programme, more than 53,000 Ha land equivalent to 1 lakh football fields has been treated.
- Coca-Cola in India has been able to create a significant and positive impact, setting up 500 water replenishment structures with a potential of replenishing 25.1 billion litres of water.