More than a decade ago, in 2013, 500 scientists expressed concerns that a time would come when conflicts would erupt—not over land or borders, but over water—due to a shortage of clean drinking water.
According to their predictions, by 2050, half of the world’s population will face a severe crisis of potable water. The research also indicated that one of the first signs of this crisis would be mass migration from areas with no access to safe drinking water. Scientists warned that this situation could arise due to government failures.
They observed that water is becoming such a critical issue that it could hinder global human development in the 21st century.
The question is, did the warnings from these 500 leading scientists reach the ears of policymakers? It is evident that governments in developing countries like ours pay little heed to such cautionary signals.
The crisis of safe drinking water has persisted for years, yet there remains significant negligence in taking adequate and effective measures to ensure clean water for all.
In the capital, Dhaka, the scarcity of safe drinking water is becoming increasingly unbearable. The coastal regions of Bangladesh are also in distress due to a lack of potable water.
A recent survey found that two out of every five households in Bangladesh—around 38.3% of the population—consume water from contaminated sources. Additionally, nearly 100 million people drink water containing various harmful microorganisms.
If this situation continues, public health could spiral out of control.
However, amid these concerns, there is a ray of hope. Last Thursday, in a historic and groundbreaking verdict, the Honorable High Court of Bangladesh declared that access to safe drinking water and water for daily use is a "fundamental right" for every citizen.
The court ruled that, under Article 32 of the Constitution of Bangladesh, it is the responsibility of the state to ensure access to clean and safe drinking water for all its citizens.
The court’s directive mandates that within a year, authorities must ensure safe drinking water in all major public places, including courts, religious institutions, hospitals, railway stations, markets, and airports.
This landmark ruling deserves recognition, as its implementation will benefit a large portion of the population and help prevent waterborne diseases.
Another reason why this ruling is commendable is that it requires the government to submit a report to the court by 2026, detailing the measures taken to ensure free and safe drinking water in all public spaces.
Furthermore, the directives from the High Court's previous rulings on the Turag River, Sonargaon, and Hatirjheel have also been incorporated into this verdict. In simple terms, the government has been instructed to take action to prevent the depletion, contamination, and pollution of water sources.
More importantly, the court is monitoring how well the government follows these directives, thereby holding the authorities accountable. This accountability mechanism is expected to lead to positive outcomes in ensuring safe drinking water.
However, overcoming this water crisis requires not only government action but also public awareness and responsibility. Everyone must be proactive and farsighted in addressing this challenge. With a collective effort, this "crisis of existence" can be overcome.
