A report published in Pakistan Today on the 29th of March stated that Lahoris will be among 1 billion people who will lack water in 2050. I think this report got the date wrong because Lahoris are lacking water in 2011!
Water shortage is indeed a global phenomenon and being environmentally conscious is a now an urgent humanitarian duty.
And the best place to begin is home. Lahore as a city is very environmentally unfriendly and our water wastage borders on the criminal. For example, during construction of new houses in the many millions of housing societies in the suburbs of Lahore, it is common practice to dump all the wastage in the ground water. People are polluting a communal source for petty short-term personal gain!
This is but one example. Others include water wastage in industries around the outskirts, non-maintenance of water pipes causing leakages and seepages, the laying of sewage lines and drinking water lines side by side, no administrative code for responsible water usage in public spaces and industries, the inefficiency of WASA etc etc etc.
The list is so very long that it is overwhelming. The government can simply start by passing a code for responsible water usage and then enforcing it with strict fines for offenders.
Many people are negligent on a personal level too whereas small steps can help like turning off the tap while brushing, using a bucket of water to wash your car instead of a hose, using less-water for dishwashing etc.
The richer class should invest in water-friendly gadgets like green dishwashers, sprinklers etc. A simple shower may become a pipedream if we continue with our irresponsible ways.
I am reminded of the famous science-fiction series Dune where people recycle their body fluids for drinking. I hope we can avoid such a deadly scenario by adopting some responsibility.
ARISH BOKHARI
Lahore
