Walk/Run for Water
Isha Creates Awareness on Water Conservation

18 April, 2010

"Run for Water," an initiative to help solve the global water crisis, took place in more than 150 cities all over the world on Sunday, 18 April 2010. Isha Foundation joined hands with residents of Chennai to organize a 6 km "Walk/Run for Water" from Besant Nagar beach (Elliot's Beach).

Chennai is already facing chronic water problems with fast depleting surface and ground water sources. The event course highlighted the fact that 6 km is the average distance many women and children in the world have to walk every day to secure the minimum requirement of water for their families.

The event was flagged off by Shiv Das Meena, IAS, M.D. Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB). After the one-hour walk/run during which participants carried placards to raise awareness about water conservation, a celebration took place on Elliot's beach with live beats from Sounds of Isha and other renowned artists. The chief guest of the event, M. Subramanian, Mayor of Chennai, and the guest of honor, Swaran Singh, Chairman and M.D. Tamilnadu Water Supply and Drainage Board (TWAD Board), graced the occasion.

At stalls, Isha volunteers provided information on how everyone can contribute to conserving water in day-to-day life. As another measure against dropping groundwater levels and water scarcity, Project GreenHands distributed tree saplings at subsidized cost.

At the end of the day, Isha's Run for Water event had ignited awareness among many citizens of Chennai about saving, recycling and reusing water. Still a drop in the ocean, but a start for sure...

Did You Know?

One in eight people in the world already don't have access to safe, clean drinking water. The UN projects that 2/3 of the global population in 2025 will be affected by water stress or scarcity. India as a whole is expected to be seriously affected impacting agriculture, food security and the whole economy, negating most efforts at poverty eradication. Experts predict that if another World War occurs, it would be on account of water.

There many ways to save water...

What YOU can do:

• Point out water leaks and shut water taps tightly (A dripping tap can waste up to 2,000 gallons of water a year!)
• Turn off the water while you brush your teeth, shave or wash your hair
• Time your shower to keep it under 5 minutes (You will save up to 1000 gallons a month!)
• Collect rainwater and use for watering plants and gardens
• Collect the water you use for rinsing produce and reuse it to water houseplants
• Don't trash the water sources; hazardous chemicals make our water icky...
• Plant trees to restore the groundwater