India only has 4% of the world’s freshwater resources despite a population of over 1.3 billion people. “With high population growth in India and the world almost 400 million people living in 100 cities of international importance across the world are at immediate risk of a water crisis, as these cities face water scarcity, flooding, drying out reservoirs in several regions, lack of basic infrastructure and groundwater depletion and contamination has made all top cities in India water-stressed,” says Rishi Raj Agrawal.
SaveWaterSaveCity.com and an NGO initiated by Rishi Raj Agarwal has taken an uphill task to create awareness among all people the importance of water in human life. Mr Agarwal has taken an uphill task to save 30 top cities of India and 50 top cities of the world through his various campaign and has approached respective state govt to make water free of cost available for its citizen.
The WWF’s Risk Filter analysis and SWSC has identified the top 30 cities of India with high water stress by 2050 are Jaipur, Indore Amritsar, Pune, Srinagar, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kozhikode, Visakhapatnam, Vadodara, Rajkot, Kota, Nashik, Ahmedabad, Jabalpur, Hubli-Dharwad, Nagpur, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Chennai, Dhanbad, Bhopal, Gwalior, Surat, Delhi, Aligarh, Lucknow.
Mr Rishi Agrawal who is CERA’s (Construction Equipment Rental Association) regional head of Maharashtra, India's largest construction equipment rental association. Also, Rishi Agarwalla has a passion for green revolution and has taken a vision to plant 5 lakh trees and has already planted 20,000 trees and in fact, 5003 trees at a single go with Rotary club at kutch.
Rishi Agarwalla says “The water challenges faced by the globe doesn't only affect the community that needs water but also every living being”. "Water is everybody's business" was one the key messages of the 2nd World Water Forum.
Top Cities that are affected
São Paulo loses over 20 per cent of its treated water due to leaking pipes contributing to the harsh water stress the city faces.
Even Beijing's 21 million residents are running out of water sources. In addition to this, nearly 40 per cent of Beijing’s surface water is too polluted for use. Jakarta has recently witnessed a rapid population growth, water shortages, flood risk, and land subsidence caused by groundwater overdraft. London has grappled with water shortages, sewage overflows as the city’s population steadily increase.
Delhi has over-extraction of groundwater and low rainwater retention, Bangalore is facing water shortage and can provide only up to 60% of the city needs. Chennai main reservoirs run dry, groundwater levels low and Tankers provide water supply.
Rishi Agarwalla says “Water scarcity is an issue that will greatly affect the whole globe. There’s nothing more essential than water to life. And if the water isn’t used sparingly and with precautions, it will surely lead to a devastating future for our kids and future generation.
Since the population is increasing, the need for drinkable water will increase too. Providing free water to communities and an initiative to develop urban watersheds and wetlands to bolster freshwater conservation and are critical for maintaining the water balance of a city, flood cushioning, micro-climate regulation and protecting its biodiversity. Its high time people realize every drop matters.”
