Mumbai's water future at risk, experts advocate sustainable solutions

Dire predictions and call to action. Pics/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI

It was not the Monday morning blues but the Monday evening greens at the Indian Merchants Chamber (IMC) building in Churchgate, as the IMC hosted a session called 'Monsoon Remedies for Mumbai' on June 15.

Experts addressed a packed audience on the rural-urban connection, what ordinary citizens can do for the environment and taking out the intimidation from heavy-duty phrases like sustainable solutions, climate change combat and ecological imbalance. They stressed that even small efforts on the ground can make you a green warrior.

Top current concerns in the city are water crunch because of a delayed and weak monsoon as predicted; the potential impact of El Nino, flooding and chopping trees for various development projects.

Slides shown at the session

The session was divided into several segments, with different speakers touching on aspects like rainwater harvesting, solar energy, planting trees and mangrove conservation.

People speak

Rajesh Choudhary, director, My Green Society
‘Monsoon should be viewed as a valuable resource rather than a seasonal challenge. For the Gargai Dam project, villagers have been displaced, and trees have been chopped. A lot of Mumbai's water supply is going towards construction. The time is not too far when we will run out of water.'

Deepak Gadhia, solar energy expert
'Our forests are being denuded because villagers use wood to cook. I want you all to become innovators, thinkers and entrepreneurs. The Third World War is going to be about water.'

Pratibha Pai, founder director, Chirag Rural Development Foundation
"When villagers are adversely affected, we are too. At least 90 per cent of Mumbai's water comes from neighbouring rural areas. Grow trees, and you need to start with just one," she signed off with a Chinese proverb: "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now..'

Dharmesh Barai, Environment Life Foundation and mangrove soldier - Navi Mumbai
‘We only talk about problems but not the solution. Millions of lives depend on mangroves. Our wetlands are natural sponges. Parents leave behind bank balances and assets for their children. I ask: how many trees have you planted for their future?'