To raise awareness about water conservation among the public through various programmes, 70 students came together in Abu Dhabi on Thursday and Friday.

The students of Abu Dhabi Indian School (branch 1) Al Wathba performed a flash mob and organised other programmes at two malls in the Capital to make the public aware of the need to act hand-in-hand with the UAE leadership to conserve water. The programmes included mimes and quiz contests on water conservation.

They expressed hope that the UAE make optimum use of advanced technology to address the challenges of water scarcity and become a self-sufficient nation.

It was earlier in the year that the US-based Water Resources Institute placed the UAE among 17 countries facing ‘extremely high baseline water stress’.

“We are concerned. People aren’t aware of the amount of water wasted in homes, hotels and restaurants. Our activities and posters are an effort to raise awareness. It’s our duty to inform elders about the impending future crisis. All we need from them is to join hands and walk an extra mile with us,” Eco Club presidents Mohideen Hanzal and Afreen Abbas said.

Students were surprised that none from the public had answers to questions like: ‘Which is the first country to ban single-use of plastic’, ‘Name a country that faces extreme water scarcity’, ‘How much percentage of your body is made up of water’ and more.

“We are all startled. Only one or two kids knew answers. Elders mostly didn’t know. None knew that the UAE is a water-stressed country. Their ignorance made us raise voice with more determination. We want them to act before taps run dry,” Eco Club secretaries Mehnaz Shafiq and Sai Hareesh Rajavelu said.

Club coordinator Siji Sudhakaran said students were motivated to address the challenges of water wastage. “This is our first attempt. We understand a need for such consistent activities. Otherwise, we will lose this battle.”

Principal Shibanti Bhowmik noted that students will keep the momentum going and hit the streets during vacation. “There’s no winter break for us. Students will conduct a survey with various questions on water wastage and usage. We will take our awareness drive to homes, hotels and restaurants. We are a school in the middle of the desert in Al Wathba and realise the importance of water conservation. We have our own piece of land where waste is turned into compost. We grow organic vegetables. Water is essential to all living things. Let’s conserve water and avert Cape Town and Chennai like a crisis in the UAE,” she added.