Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Water crisis

Sir, — Day by day, it is becoming clear that water is going to be the biggest casualty of the modern development process. Rain, rivers and wells have been man's traditional sources of fresh water.

Reports appear on a variety of threats to these sources. Global warming upsets natural patterns of rainfall. Rivers are slowly killed at their sources by steady destruction of forests and the construction of big dams, and overexploitation of groundwater.

A growing population and a consumptive lifestyle add to the misery. How long will nature stand this strain? Leaving apart global solutions, something should be done at the national and regional levels.

Development cannot be reversed. But technology could be reoriented to serve the dual purpose of conserving water and regulating its use. Our water policy should be guided by respect for nature.

T.P. Ramachandran,
Namakkal, T.N.

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