Rainwater Harvesting [5-Jun-06]

Theme: Environmental issues
Title: Rainwater Harvesting
Date Of Issue: 5-Jun-2006
Denomination: 500(Ps)
No/Issue Sheet: 35
Printing Process: Photogravure
Nos. Printed: 3 Million
Printer: India Security Press Nashik

Rainwater Harvesting - Water is an extremely precious commodity. Essential for sustaining life on this planet, water has traditionally been treated with reverence by all societies and cultures. However, the rapid growth of industrialization, and population growth and concentration in urban centres, have contributed to pressures on existing water resources. Erratic and inadequate rain, and changes in rainfall patterns and climatic conditions have also impacted landscape and availability of water around the world. Water covers about 3/4 of the earth's surface, but only about 2% is fresh water, and a larger portion of its polar ice. As a result, there is now an increasing awareness of the very real threat posed by dwindling fresh water resources and the need to conserve every drop of water in order to safeguard the future of generations to come. Rainwater harvesting, which entails collecting and storing rainwater for future productive use, is one of the major reserves. At present India uses only 10 to 20% of its annual rainfall, while observations made in various countries show that between 80 to 85% of all precipitation can be collected and stored. In fact, if collection and storage of rainwater is designed properly, it is possible for a family to live for a year on rainwater alone in areas with areas with rainfall as little as 100 mm per year. In sharing the global concerns regarding water management, the Department of Posts is happy to carry forward the message of conservation by issuing a commemorative postage stamp on Rainwater Harvesting.