This is the English version of our Marathi essay on Water Is Life.
Points / Outline
- Water – the basis of all living things
- The importance of water for daily life, farming and industry
- Growing water shortage and its causes
- Water pollution
- Ways to save water – rainwater harvesting, careful use
- The role of students and citizens
- Conclusion – save water, save life
Essay
The relief on the face of a thirsty person who gets a sip of water tells us the true value of water. Every living thing on earth – people, animals, birds, trees – cannot live without water. That is why it is said that "water is life".
We need water at every step of our daily life. We need it for drinking, cooking, bathing, washing clothes and keeping clean. Farming has no alternative to water at all; without water, crops will not grow and there will be no food grain. Factories, power generation and many industries run on water. Many civilisations flourished on the banks of rivers, which also shows how important water is.
Although a large part of the earth is covered with water, most of it is salty sea water. The amount of fresh water fit for drinking is very small. Because of the growing population, cutting of trees, excessive pumping of groundwater and wasting of water, many places are now facing water shortage. In summer, people in many villages, especially women, have to fetch water from far away. Wells and ponds dry up.
Along with water shortage, water pollution is also a big problem. Chemical-laden water from factories, sewage from cities and garbage are released into rivers. This pollutes the water, kills aquatic animals, and people who drink such water fall ill.
To change this situation, we must save every drop of water. If a tap is leaking at home, it should be repaired at once. We should not leave the tap running while brushing our teeth or washing dishes. Water used for washing vegetables can be given to plants. Rainwater falling on rooftops should be collected and allowed to soak into the ground. Methods like drip irrigation should be used in farming. Villages should build check dams and farm ponds to stop water and let it soak in. We should not throw garbage into rivers and lakes.
There are examples of many villages in Maharashtra that have become water-rich by working together to hold back rainwater. Digging trenches on hill slopes, building check dams on streams and planting trees help rainwater soak into the ground instead of running off. This brings water back to wells and borewells. The mantra “Stop the water, let it soak in” has reached village after village. These examples prove that when everyone comes together, even drought can be overcome.
As students, we can spread the message of saving water at school and at home. We can take responsibility for checking that the taps at school are closed. Big change comes from small habits.
We cannot make water in a factory; it is a gift of nature. If we save water today, water will save us tomorrow. That is why everyone should take the pledge: "Save every drop, build tomorrow's life."
10 Lines
- No living thing can survive without water.
- That is why it is said that water is life.
- We need water for drinking, cooking and cleaning.
- Water is extremely necessary for farming.
- There is very little drinkable fresh water on earth.
- Many villages face water shortage in summer.
- A leaking tap should be repaired at once.
- Rainwater should be collected and allowed to soak into the ground.
- We should not throw garbage into rivers and lakes.
- Save water, save life.
Writing tips
- Begin with a small picture of a thirsty person or a drought-hit village, so the seriousness of the topic is felt at once.
- Write paragraphs in order: importance, shortage, pollution and solutions; do not write figures you are not sure of.
- Use words like rainwater harvesting, groundwater, farm pond and drip irrigation in the solutions paragraph.
- End with a slogan-like line of your own, such as "If we save water today, water will save us tomorrow."