The Formal Park on Abu Dhabi Corniche was the site of a colorful and entertaining event through which the public were made aware about the importance of saving water to ensure that we all have enough water for tomorrow, for our future generation and a greener and a safer planet
The Formal Park on Abu Dhabi Corniche was the site of a colorful and entertaining event through which the public were made aware about the importance of saving water to ensure that we all have enough water for tomorrow, for our future generation and a greener and a safer planet
More than 3,000 people (and scores of curious observers) attended the event that was organized by the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) on last Friday to commemorate World Water Day 2009 under the theme Water is For All …. Save It.
The four hour open day event from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., included interactive games and activities designed for adults and children around the core message that each one of us holds an individual responsibility to save water and teach them how to reduce their water consumption.
The activities included different water experiments and games that were designed for children and adults of different age groups. Women, men and youth were made to ‘Walk for Water’, to feel how even today in many African and Asian countries women still walk 7 km to get their daily drinking water supplies, and how even here in the UAE women walked for water for at least 5 kms to get water in the past . Each participant wanting to outdo the other in the spirit of competition continued with this activity till almost after 9Pm . The maximum that participant could walk was 1.8KM.
A car wash competition with limited water supplied attracted a lot of people, men and their families. The aim was to send home a point that much water can be saved even in all daily routine activity. Participants and scores of observers cheering the event felt that this the first time such event has been organized in the emirate and this kind of awareness done on a participatory basis is far more effective.
The dish wash competition among women with very limited water was thoroughly entertaining and effective. The participants confessed that this activity would motivate them to save water each time now when they wash their dishes. Most women confessed that they do waste water while washing dishes and the message that was sent through this activity made them feel that they ought to do something about it.
Water Education corner for kids was by far the most effective and attracted maximum number of people , though meant for kids adults came over the learn as well. Teachers from the Environment Educators forum TADPOLES (teachers of Abu Dhabi for protection of living environment) manned this corner. For the teachers this was perhaps one of the most satisfying experience as a teacher , in the ambience of the area where the students came to learn through their own desire and teaching them stuff in a ‘hands on’ manner through experiments and connecting all of that to real life scenario was one of their most satisfying moments .Unanimous feeling was that this kind of activity should be done regularly or else we may lose the advantage that they felt they gained by way of enhanced interests and awareness
A public display of 377, 1.5 litres plastic water bottles was sculptured to send a message how much water we all use in one day . Incredulous expressions, denial and sharp reaction were the first reaction and then by the time they went around the event they were convinced. Ladies and families stood over there and argued and debated about who wastes water more at home.
Experts in water resources were also available to answer any questions or concerns visitors may have regarding water. Booth displays and presentations by participating agencies which include Abu Dhabi Municipality, Ministry of Environment and Water, Abu Dhabi Distribution Company, GASCO, Zayed University, Higher College of Technology and Abu Dhabi Sports Council was accompanied by skits, music and poetry preformed by students from different private and government schools were they expressed their concerns on water issues.
Flags and banners were also used all over the event’s site to increase the public awareness on water issue. These colorful flags and banners has attracted public attention with the messages it was carrying under the theme Enough is Enough. Use Water Wisely.
A questionnaire form including questions relating to water consumption in UAE and the importance of such events in increasing their awareness about water issues was also distributed to the public and responses will be later assessed by EAD.
35 youth from the voluntary social programme “Onak ya watan”.did a wonderful job of controlling the crowd , engaging them through entertaining poetry and community songs to motivate the crowd
Abu Dhabi Water Facts
•Abu Dhabi Emirate gets very less rainfall, less than 100mm.
•5% of the water that comes down as rain gets evaporated
•15% of the rain water runs into the sea
•Only 10% of rain water is able to recharge our ground water
•Ground water is the only source of fresh water that we have
•We have one of the lowest per capita fresh water availability
•We have no rivers or lakes in the UAE
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