World Water Day 2021 – 22nd March

The United Nations(UN)’s World Water Day is annually observed across the globe on 22nd March to enhance the focus on the importance of freshwater and to create awareness about the global water crisis.  The day also raises awareness about the 2.2 billion people across the globe who are living without access to safe water.

The main aim of World Water Day is 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”. The theme of 2021 is about “What water means to people and its true value and how to protect the water, the vital resource”.

Background:

i.The UNGA adopted the resolution A/RES/47/193 on 22nd February 1993 and proclaimed the 22nd march of every year as the World Water Day starting from 1993.

ii.The first World Water Day was observed on 22nd March 1993.

Events 2021:

Report launched:

As a part of World Water Day 2021, the UN launched the World Water Development Report which includes the recommendations of policy direction to decision-makers.

UNESCO Partners with Toonz Media, USO India for Water Conservation Programme:

i.UNESCO Partners with United Schools Organisation(USO) of India and Toonz Media group for a water conservation awareness programme for students.

ii.As a part of the H2Ooooh! Waterwise program for school students conducted in partnership with National Mission for Clean Ganga, USO India, Water Digest magazine and Toonz Media Group, the animation videos created by the students were released on World Water Day 2021.

H2Ooooh!:

i.UNESCO New Delhi launched the initiative, H2Ooooh! – Waterwise program for school children in India in September 2020.

ii.The initiative was launched in partnership with USO India, and Toonz Media Group.

Around 17,000 students from 43 schools across India have been engaged in this initiative.

Aim:

To develop creativity and awareness about water conservation and its sustainable use.

Events In India:

i.As a part of the World Water Day 2021, the Films Division of India, under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in collaboration with  Children’s Film Society, India (CFSI) to screen a package of films on its official website under ‘Documentary of the Week’ section and youtube channel.

ii.The films being streamed are, Rain Man, Johad – A Source of Water, Water, Land and The People, Pani Re Pani and Veracity.

iii.Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the “Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain” campaign over a virtual platform in which the Ministry of Jal Shakti signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Uttar Pradesh for starting the Ken-Betwa Link project. 

iv.Ken-Betwa Link project is the first river-linking project in India that will carry water from a surplus area to a water-scarce area by interlinking rivers.

Additional info:

i.Around 5.7 billion people across the globe could be living in regions where the water is scarce for around 1 month.

ii.Climate-resilient water supply and sanitation could save the lives of more than 360,000 infants every year

iii.By 2040, the global energy demand is projected to increase by over 25% and water demand is expected to increase by more than 50%.