Dharamsala residents seek ways to counter water shortage

Dharamsala, Dec 7 (ANI): Water shortage is emerging as a major concern for villagers living in the remote areas of Dharamsala and environmentalists believe that global warming is primarily responsible for it.

Hence, they have been discussing ways to reduce water wastage and ensure equitable distribution of water to each person.

"Generally it is considered that each person requires at least 16 litres of water per day and with approximately five members in every family in Himachal Pradesh, we should be provided with at least 200 litres of water, so that we learn how to use water in the right way. Availability of water does not mean that it should be used more than the necessary capacity. Using less water than the available capacity, would actually be the right mannerisms," said Prem Sagar, an environmentalist.

With drying natural water bodies, due to lack of management, villagers from remote areas travel 4 to 5 kms just to take a bath each day or simply wash clothes.

While there is a little water left even to drink, farmers are facing the brunt of all water sources drying one after the other.

"Even drinking water is not available here, hence affecting the produce. The timely weather and the cultivation have been disturbed. For the last two-three years the produce has been really bad, due to which the farmers are also suffering," said S.S Guleria, a villager.

The traditional water sources like wells and storage tanks have dried or are so stagnant that they can barely be used for a bath, much less for drinking. (ANI)