Is water at the centre of survival or collapse of the present civilisation in the 21st century?
All the present indicators point in that direction. Water is also at the centre of potential conflicts between nations (within nations). Some even predict “Water Wars”. For centuries, nations have battled for domination of the world’s oceans. In recent years, the battle has moved to a new arena, control of fresh waters of the world. More than one billion people worldwide lack sufficient fresh water. In developing countries of Asia and Africa, 80% of all diseases are water related. Per capita daily water consumption worldwide – personal, municipal and industrial – has gone up from 250 cubic metres in 1900 to 700 cubic metres today. Water is fast becoming shorter in supply because of extensive desertification and ever increasing demand by the growing population, set to reach a peak in the 21st century. Water is being polluted due to modern practices in agriculture, industrial development and other human activities. We are continuously confronted with new and emerging problems affecting b
