Rain water literacy

EDITORIAL

Keeping in view the water scarcity that Nepalis face, the literacy about rain water harvesting should be prioritized in the overall water use strategy in the country. The concept, although an ancient one, is often sidelined and not given importance in modern times. Rain water is generally considered as too commonplace to require serious thought or approach. The technology for harvesting rain water, also an ancient one, is often taken as something not requiring planning, attention and resource. People generally forget to include rain water as a source of water for human beings. That is why the phrase related to rain water use or know-how or talk about the same appears to have been lost in the public water discourse. Even those who voice for fulfillment of Sustainable Development Goal number 6 – ensuring safe water for all by 2030 – seem confused about the need for rain water literacy. A number of people feel they might look old fashioned if they concentrated too much on storing and using rain water. A sort of emotional shyness grips them as they take up the issue of rain water use in the community. Actually the issue of harvesting rain water is a great theme that could ultimately serve the society in a meaningful manner. It could in its own way contribute to the great cause of supporting the living of people, backing the development process of the community and strengthening the ecosystem resilience of the country. For this, a systematic plan for sensitizing the people about capturing rain water, storing it in a hygienic manner and using it properly should be worked out. The same should engage the government, community leaders and users.  All of them should be acquainted well about various dimensions of rain water particularly its fundamentals. At the grass-root level each owner of home or roof should be engaged for every roof has a significant role to play in it. Several man-made ponds of Nepal are reminding people how water collection helps needs of community, farms, birds and cattle in different times. Such ponds demand hygienic treatment, proper model of use and regular cleaning intervention by people at the local level. In absence of rain water literacy such ponds turn out to be breeding ground of disease while a suitable literacy campaign could render the same water pools a hygienic source for serving water to the needy at the grass root level of society. Water experts could design a scientific curriculum for sensitizing people about rain water; communicators could spread the message through various media – print, broadcast, online and various social media. Rain water after all serves all in time of water scarcity. Literacy about it ensures a sustainable way to accumulate and use it.