When the Water Tower Runs Dry: A Himalayan Wake-Up Call
Dr. Sikander Kumar, Rajya Sabha MP and State General Secretary of the BJP, brought urgent attention to the growing freshwater crisis in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and several hilly states of the Northeast during a session in the Rajya Sabha.
He highlighted that the Indian Himalayan region—often called the water tower of South Asia—is facing a severe ecological emergency, with nearly half of its natural water sources already dried up or on the brink of vanishing. Once known for its abundance, these mountains are now witnessing a heartbreaking reality: in many villages, women must walk for more than an hour each morning to collect water from dwindling springs.
The crisis is not limited to water alone. Climate change, unsustainable development, and ecological degradation are compounding the problem, threatening both livelihoods and landscapes. A NITI Aayog report from 2018 had already warned that around 50 percent of Himalayan springs had dried up, foreshadowing devastating consequences for communities dependent on them.
Dr. Kumar urged the Government of India to act decisively, stressing the strategic, ecological, and economic importance of the region. He called for grassroots awareness and long-term sustainability measures, reminding the nation that protecting these fragile ecosystems is not just about survival today—it is about safeguarding water and life for generations to come.
