South Asia: Bloggers Discussing Water Issues · Global Voices
Rezwan

Blog Action Day is an annual event held every October 15 that unites the world's bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day. This year the action theme is ‘water’. A number of South Asian bloggers have also participated in this event. Let us look at what some of them are discussing about.
Water pots lined up for filling in Mamallapuram, India. Image by Flickr user mckaysavage. CC BY
Ishrath at Wandering Mist writes:
Water in India is a paradox. It has always been the boon and the bane for the length and breadth of the nation. North India gives birth to water. South India fights for the rivers that flow. Northwest India is a water-starved desert. And Eastern India has the highest rainfall that helps none.
And to top it, the water woes in India include contamination, inadequacy, denial, corruption, portability problems, access, deaths & diseases, pollution, irresponsible industrial growth dependent on water, and a whole lot more. [..]
We have forgotten our ingenious ways of life where every natural resource such as water, was used and not abused. There were no endless showers, hot tubs, rain parties, or huge water tanks to ensure that the water kept running during all ablutions. Water was rationed as per use. There was no concepts of 24/7 water supply where every household had to dig into their bit of land. We, with knowledge, cognizance and responsibility, are continually turning earth into living hell.
Aastha Kukreti at Delhi Greens provides 25 tips to save water. Abha Midha informs:
In India, in the area of sanitation the Sulabh Movement has brought about a social revolution. Started by Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, the Sulabh toilets are low cost and environmental friendly solution for people.
Water distribution point in Patan Nepal. Image by Flickr user Wayan Vota. CC BY-NC
Bhumika Ghimire sheds a light into the water issues in Nepal:
Water crisis is directly related to Nepal's deteriorating environment. In capital Kathmandu, many areas don't get water for six days a week, and are forced to either buy water through dealers or have to rely on local wells and rivers-whose water quality is not monitored.
Ujjwal Acharya posts a picture showing how water is associated with our day to day lives.
Although Pakistan is suffering from the worst flood in past century, some of its region are dry and suffer from desertification. Khalida Brohi, an indigenous girl from  Balochistan, Pakistan notes that indigenous people are the first ones to be worst hit by climate change:
Balochistans traditional forms of livelihood and using of agricultural land have now slowly been changing, The two methods Khushkaba and Sailaba  of agriculture are diverted, the usually making of bands to use up flood water for lands doesn’t work because floods have change course as now even the ingenious knowledge can’t predict from where the flesh floods would be attacking, once a blessing to the people of valleys in Baluchistan, mountains are now a danger of disaster them.
Marvi well in Malir village in Tharparkar desert of Sindh. Image by Flickr user Kashif. CC BY
Jalal HB at Fire Within writes about the scarcity of drinking water in the Thar deserts of Sindh province:
When it rains, the rain water gets collected in small low lying bowl shaped ponds called the “tobas” where men and animals drink together. There are no alternatives as well digging is not possible. Even if there is a success, the water is so brackish and salty that it cannot be consumed for drinking purposes.