Not all heroes wear capes, some fight amongst us: Exemplary stories in water conservation

Immense water pollution, the wrath of prolonged droughts, the dipping water table, and water-borne diseases – are just some of the many issues we constantly hear about when discussing water scarcity in India. People living in rural parts of the country are fighting everyday battles against harsh weather conditions and long distances to access safe drinking water. Many urban dwellers are also stuck with a limited water supply and poor drinking water quality. According to reports, 21% of infectious diseases in India are related to unsafe water, and 75% of the country’s rivers and lakes are so polluted that people cannot use their water for drinking or bathing. While the entire nation is struggling with water shortage, many across the country are going out of their way to conserve water. Here are four such inspiring journeys of people who took responsibility to find bold, creative, and innovative solutions to restore our planet.

Rajendra Singh

Rajendra Singh is an Indian water conservationist and environmentalist from Alwar district, Rajasthan in, India. Also known as "Waterman of India," he won the Magsaysay Award in 2001 and Stockholm Water Prize in 2015. He believes in 'water literacy,' which involves understanding water and the socio-economic landscape dependent on water sources, practicing water conservation through various measures, and making other people understand and save water.

Amla Ruia

Popularly known as Paani Mata, Amla Ruia is one of the most active water conservation and management figures. Even though she hails from an affluent family, she has been able to relate to the sorrows of the poor and the needy. She feels that water and education are the two foremost issues in India, and thus she focuses on solving these problems. Through her consistent efforts in spreading water literacy, building check dams, and working for the prosperity of villages, she has brought a change in the lives of hundreds of people.

Ayyappa Masagi

Quitting his job as an engineer, Ayyappa Masagi started his career as a water activist when he was in his late fifties. His motto- "Every drop counts"- was brought to life when he founded the Water Literacy Foundation. Together with his team of activists and conservationists, Masagi has not only changed the scenario of water conservation but also impacted a large number of lives. A devout believer in community efforts, he has built over 700 artificial lakes, making his name appear in the Limca Book of World records.

Aabid Surti

The 84-year-old artist and writer Aabid Surti epitome of dedication and determination. Saving over 20 million liters of water single-handedly, he emphasizes the importance of every single drop of water. He founded an NGO called Drop Dead Foundation that fixes leaking taps in residential houses in Mumbai, free of charge. With his consistent but straightforward efforts, he has created a massive impact on the community and saved a lot of water from going down the drains. He also organizes awareness campaigns and activities to sensitize people, particularly children, about the global water crisis.