Water bodies are one of the important sources of groundwater. They are gasping and dying a silent but painful death due to eutrophication. It is a process that causes the concentration of nutrients. This increases the growth of Algal blooms and hypoxia in the water. These are the chief causes of the death of biomes and ultimately of water bodies.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- Water bodies face severe threats from eutrophication, leading to algal blooms and loss of aquatic life.
- Historical perspectives show that cultures have revered water, emphasizing its essential role in civilization’s development.
- The crisis includes the scarcity of potable water and the alarming decline of natural lakes due to pollution and urbanization.
- Eutrophication results from nutrient over-enrichment, causing dead zones in water bodies and threatening ecosystems.
- Efforts like the Jal Shakti Mission and the Amrit Sarovar scheme aim to revive and conserve water bodies in India.
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Introduction
“Water conservation is the culture of our society and the centre of our social thinking.”
-Narendra D. Modi
The very word “Water” brings respite. Who else but a thirsty individual can talk about the necessity and importance of water? An average adult human body holds about 60% water. Water is essential for life. It sustains and supports various forms of life. This is due to its unique property of being a “Universal Solvent.” This property makes it a good conductor of salts and electrolytes to every part of an organism. It also facilitates various biochemical reactions essential for physiological processes. This keeps life running.
Historical Perspective
(a) Life started in water
The first life started in water. From primordial to modern life forms, water has been a consistent factor and a source of vitality and rejuvenation. Ancient cultures and civilisations owed their existence to water.
(b) As civilisation grew
Water provided them with a means of transportation and trade. Water was also an elixir of life. As civilisations began to grow, they emphasised the importance and inevitable nature of water. They developed techniques for acquiring and conserving water and ensured that water bodies were clean and drinkable. The situation has, though, been gradually changing, with waterbodies facing such neglect that it has become a threat to life.
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(c) Early humans and water
Early humans realised the importance of water during their evolution. This understanding came when they shifted from being wayfarers to becoming permanent settlers as peasants. They would make their settlements along the natural sources of water or rivers.
(d) Water personified
Ancient civilisations thrived along riverbanks and in river valleys because of the advantages of water proximity. It provided a smooth means of transportation and a stable water source for their use. Pristine water bodies were the priority in the Indian ethos since antiquity. They personified water as God and treated it appropriately. Until recently, the use of soaps discouraged during bathing in a holy river like the Ganges.
Reverence for rivers and waterbodies
A reverence for rivers/waterbodies/natural things was once inculcated from infancy. Digging wells, ponds, or lakes was an act of respect and conserving water service of humanity.
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(a) Indus valley
People of the Indus Valley judiciously used water. The finding of a “Great Bath” and a well-developed drainage system in Mohan-Jo-Daro buttresses this belief.
(b) Lakes and “Baori”
Mahoba in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh (India) is known for its great lakes and water bodies. Chandela rulers dug up ponds and lakes to cope with the water scarcity in the region. Kingdoms and/or the wealthiest dug many “Baori”, wells, stepwells and lakes.
(c) Stepwells
Stepwells, especially in Western and North-Western parts of the country, are still a centre of tourist attraction and curiosity. UNESCO has declared some as heritage sites. Old Indian cities have many “Baori”, ponds, and lakes. These are especially prevalent in the areas of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. The word “Baori” came from the Sanskrit word “Vapi”, used widely in old scriptures and epics.
The crisis
Water is a potion for life to sustain. A universal solvent, water is life-sustaining as it holds many dissolved essential micronutrients. Water occupies a large part of Earth’s surface. Yet, only a small fraction is available as freshwater. This fresh water is crucial for human consumption. The freshwater bodies are also under threat.
(A) Water on the Earth
The concern is not unfounded. Earth, also termed the ‘Terraqueous globe’, comprises land and water. About 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered with water. Of this, about 97% is in the form of oceans and seas. Despite its huge volume, untreated saline seawater is unfit for human use. Of the remaining 03 per cent, which is freshwater, only about 1% is available in a free state. The rest is locked as glaciers, water vapour, and in the root zone of the soil.
(b) Groundwater
Freshwater comes to Earth as rainwater through the water cycle. Our water needs are primarily met by groundwater. Rainwater percolates and is collected in aquifers. Other water sources also contribute to this process. This emphasises the importance of lakes, ponds and other waterbodies like wetlands. An aquatic ecosystem functions as a buffer against pluvial floods and supplies water for the living world.
(c) Scarcity of drinking water
The harrowing coronavirus pandemic has passed. Thanks to the commendable efforts of the government and the people’s cooperation, that difficult time has passed. Yet another, rather serious threat is looming large. The scarcity of potable drinking water is hovering. Pointing towards the importance of water, former Prime Minister of India, late Sri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had said:
India is amongst the wettest countries in the world, yet desert-like conditions are now prevalent in many parts of the country. We are fast plunging into a water emergency era.
He always emphasised water conservation and cleaning polluted rivers, lakes and ponds. “Conserve every drop of water”, he would say.
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Importance of a healthy water body
A healthy water body indicates a balanced freshwater pond ecosystem. Every element, biotic or abiotic, plays a role in maintaining its pristine nature. “Eat or be eaten” reflects the intricate nature of ecosystems on Earth.
(a) Complex food web
The dependency for food forms a complex web, known as the “food web”. Individuals are interrelated with each other in this web. Producers and consumers at every level, technically known as the “Trophic level”, are dependent on each other. Except for primary producers, plants and trees, every other biotic part is actively or passively dependent.
(b) Water is vital
Herbivores make up the primary consumer level and eat the vegetation. Carnivores devour herbivores and thus are a passive dependent. In terms of the ecosystem, though, it is necessary to keep it in its original form. Water is vital for all life forms and systems, whether it’s a desert ecosystem or an aquatic one.
Scenario changed
The scenario, though, has changed. The water bodies are being polluted. They are turning into cesspools or dumping grounds for garbage. This poses great health threats and makes water scarce. The lakes and water bodies are gasping, stinking and finally giving up the ghost. In major cities of the country, old and medieval ponds and lakes have dried up, and some have vanished. Barring a few that are architecturally important, others have been wiped out to give way to urbanisation.
(a) Vanishing lakes and ponds
The dilapidated vestiges of brick-mortar structures built along the pond or “Baori” are all that survive. They serve as a reminder of their grand presence. In Lucknow, known as the “City of Nawabs”, ponds like “Buxi-ka-Talab” and “Tikait Rai-ka-Talab” have dwindled into obscurity. Many more have lost their existence, like “Chandganj-ka-Talab”. The rapid decline of water bodies is due to a growing population and fast, unabated urbanisation. Projects developed with short-sighted vision and poor planning are part of the problem.
Eutrophication
Apart from the oft-quoted causes, there is one that is very dangerous. It acts like a slow poison for waterbodies. It is “Eutrophication”, which slowly but surely kills a healthy water body. (Britannica)
(a) What is Eutrophication?
The term “Eutrophication” is derived from the Greek word “Eutrophos”, which means well-nourished. Nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus gradually increase in an oligotrophic (Low nutrient content and high Oxygen) water body. This increase in nutrients leads to mesotrophication. It ultimately results in eutrophication.
(b) Effects of Eutrophication
Excessive concentration of nutrients triggers an algal bloom. The algae, mainly the blue-green algae or Cyanobacteria, proliferate rapidly. They cover a large area or sometimes the entire water surface of the aquatic body. It hinders light penetration in the water below them. Aerobic bacteria and microorganisms consume a lot of oxygen from the water body to decompose their waste after they perish. It, thus, creates a hypoxic condition that leads to dead zones in the water body.
(c) Dead zones
Life becomes impossible in these dead zones. Aquatic fauna and flora start dying en masse due to a lack of Oxygen. They suffer from asphyxia. The whole cycle jeopardises the aquatic ecosystem, which ultimately dies. It is a vicious cycle of eutrophication.
Sources of pollutants
The question is, the excessive pollutants come wherefrom and how? Let us see it in a little detail.
- Chemical fertilisers, excreta and urban/industrial wastes are the principal contributing factors to eutrophication.
- The untreated sewage, field runoff, aquaculture ponds, et cetera also contribute majorly to the problem.
- The growing use of fish and poultry feeds significantly contributes to the increasing concentration levels.
- Fertilisers used to preserve greenery in star hotels and resorts add to the problem. These enter the water bodies as run-off. Excessive manure and water are used to meet the demand. This helps keep the level of luxury in hotels, playgrounds, and similar places. These resources ultimately rest in the water system above and below the ground level.
Urbanisation
City boundaries are expanding rapidly. The pressing needs of humans have harmed the ecosystem greatly. Water bodies are particularly affected. Large public parks and contained artificial lakes add their share, too.
(a) Artificial lakes
Artificial lakes are created for aesthetics and not for ecological balance. Mortars are used to construct them making them impermeable to water. They are impregnable. The water they contain does not percolate, nor do they get proper oxygen. The water needs aeration and circulation to become life-sustaining. Without these conditions, the artificial lakes lose their sheen as aesthetic bodies. They also lose their importance as water bodies.
(b) Poor maintenance
Dredging and aeration are expensive and are rarely undertaken in artificial lakes. It leads to stagnant, odorous, and lifeless waters. In the absence of perennial water sources, these artificial water bodies dry up. Thus, marred and desiccated lakes resemble vast, barren pits which fail to serve the purpose.
(c) Natural lakes and ponds needed
Lakes and ponds need to be created naturally. Mechanisms for the constant exchange of water and gaseous exchange should be made. Extensive plantations can surround them. Introducing aquatic plants within the water bodies can enhance their beauty and attract birds. These efforts can significantly increase the oxygen levels in and around the pond or lake.
Efforts to Mitigate the Problem
The yawning problem caught attention. Steps taken to mitigate the problem and revive the waterbodies.
(a) Jal Shakti Mission
Considering the importance of water and its effective management, the Government of India established a new ministry. The Ministry of Jal Shakti Mission was established in May 2019. This occurred after merging the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation.
(i) Functions
The task of the ministry was to formulate policies for the development, management, and conservation of water resources. Headed by a Cabinet Minister, the ministry oversees a national perspective of water planning. It coordinates the diverse uses of water. and addresses water laws and legislation.
(ii) Responsibilities
The responsibilities include addressing inter-state and trans-boundary water issues, as well as bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Additionally, the ministry provides policy guidelines and programs for the assessment, development, and regulation of the country’s water resources. The Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation is also responsible for assessing water quality. It rejuvenates the Ganga River and its tributaries. The department also conserves and reduces pollution in other rivers.
(b) “Amrit Sarovar”
Hon’ble Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi started the “Amrit Sarovar” scheme. It aims to revive the water bodies in “Amrit Kaal” of “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav”. The aim is to recharge at least 75 such “Sarovars” in each district.
Summation
Effective check of eutrophication is possible by not allowing untreated sewage to mix with water bodies. Pluvial runoffs and nutrients cause eutrophication. separate from them. Sewage must be diverted to Sewage Treatment Plants before being poured into rivers. Consistent efforts are essential to restore the river and water bodies. The government is doing what it ought to do. As citizens, people need to fulfil their obligations. Clean and pristine environment and water bodies are the country’s heritage. It needs to be passed on to Gen Z.
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