March 2018
Today 22nd March, marks International World Water Day, a day which focuses on the importance of freshwater and the promotion of sustainable water resources worldwide. Each year, World Water Day is used as an international observance and an opportunity to learn more about water-related issues. The International event aims for individuals and communities alike to form together, to inspire and be inspired by one another, making a difference for those who fight each day for a basic human need. This year, we would like to use World Water Day to celebrate some of the work we have completed in rural India, enabling some of the poorest people to reap the benefits of safer and sustainable water.
In 2016 we launched our ‘Every Drop Counts’ appeal, striving to provide marginalised families with a regular, sustainable water source. We recognise that a little goes a long way, so our appeal pledged to provide 50 families in the Aravalli Hills of Rajasthan with a drip irrigation system. These water-saving systems offer a highly efficient way to release a suitable amount of water to each plant, reducing water wastage and optimising plant growth. Allowing crops to flourish, livelihoods will also thrive, as farmers can conserve precious water for themselves and their families. With this appeal, we helped families gain access to not only water for cleaning and hygiene, but more crops to feed themselves, cattle and to sell at markets. These families now have greater optimism and certainty over their future, unlocking the potential for a brighter and happier community.
Making a difference is the main purpose of World Water Day, which is something we strive for each day at WaterHarvest. We are delighted to see plaudits of the work of our close partner Tarun Bharat Sangh (TBS) have received from the United Nations this week, recognising the hard work which goes into tackling nature-based solutions to meet global water challenges. Since partnering with TBS in October 2014, we have worked together to improve Water Efficiency across five villages and have recognised great success. Our commitment to tackling water poverty in rural India is mirrored by TBS and we are now undertaking another collaborative project together. If you would like more information on our partnership with TBS, please select our partner page or the recent blog post ‘Raising Awareness Amongst the Youth of our Project Villages’. Otherwise, a further read on TBS’ commendation from the UN can be seen here: https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/un-lauds-indias-efforts-in-finding-nature-based-solutions-to-global-water-crisis-2532117.html.
The theme for this year’s World Water Day is ‘Nature for Water’, exploring how nature can be used to overcome the water challenges of the 21st Century. We are excited to reveal that we are in the process of releasing a new appeal: ‘Revive and Thrive’, which focuses on the regeneration of degraded land and the surrounding environment, to improve the lives of these marginalised communities. Our appeal also promises to replenish the beleaguered environment so bio-diversity and wildlife can flourish. As we have not yet released the appeal, we can’t give too many details away, so please check back soon to see us reveal our promise in the coming weeks!
In the meantime, if you would like to support our work this International World Water Day, please follow the donate button below, together we can defeat water vulnerability in these rural communities.
