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World Water Day 2025: The day serves as a call to action to address global water challenges, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: ensuring water and sanitation for all by 2030.
World Water Day 2025: This year’s theme ‘Glacier Preservation’ emphasises the crucial role glaciers play in supplying freshwater, regulating the Earth’s climate, and sustaining life. (Image: Shutterstock)
World Water Day 2025: Every year on March 22, World Water Day is observed to highlight the importance of freshwater and promote its sustainable management. According to UNESCO, the day serves as a call to action to address global water challenges, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: ensuring water and sanitation for all by 2030. As we mark this occasion, let’s explore its history, significance, theme, and more.
World Water Day 2025: History
The idea of World Water Day was first introduced in 1992 during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro. Following the conference, March 22 was officially designated for the annual observance. The first World Water Day was celebrated in 1993, and it has been observed ever since. This year marks the 32nd anniversary of the occasion.
World Water Day 2025: Theme
According to the United Nations, this year’s World Water Day theme is “Glacier Preservation,” emphasising the critical role glaciers play in supplying freshwater, regulating the Earth’s climate, and sustaining life.
The United Nations said, “This World Water Day, we must work together to put glacier preservation at the core of our plans to tackle climate change and the global water crisis.”
World Water Day 2025: Significance
World Water Day, observed by the United Nations and supported by UN Water, aims to raise awareness of critical water-related issues worldwide. It serves as a call to action for individuals, policymakers, and governments to address the global water and sanitation crisis proactively.
The observance is also aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of 17 global objectives established by the UN General Assembly in 2015. These goals, to be achieved by 2030, focus on creating a sustainable future by addressing economic, social, and environmental challenges while promoting global peace and well-being.
What is Glacier Preservation?
Glacier preservation involves proactive measures to safeguard and sustain glaciers, which play a vital role in global water resources, climate regulation, and biodiversity. Addressing climate change and its impact on accelerated glacial melting is essential to this effort.
According to UNESCO, protecting glaciers is crucial for the well-being of individuals and communities worldwide. These frozen reservoirs hold nearly 70% of the world’s freshwater, making their conservation essential for long-term water security. Sustainable glacier management, continuous monitoring, and international scientific collaboration are key steps in preserving these vital water sources, ensuring future prosperity, and promoting global stability.
As glaciers melt, they replenish rivers and streams, serving as a crucial water source for human consumption, agriculture, and industry. Many local and regional communities depend on glaciers for drinking water, irrigation, and hydropower.
Moreover, fluctuations in glacier size and melting rates can significantly influence weather patterns, impacting precipitation levels, temperatures, and overall climate stability.
India is home to a vast number of glaciers, primarily situated in the Himalayan region. According to past research conducted by the Space Applications Centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the country has approximately 16,627 glaciers, playing a crucial role in sustaining rivers and water resources.
