Espousing universal concern for access to fresh water, Bancroft Arnesen Explore (BAE) recently started its first leg of the seven-continent expedition series titled “Access Water” by commencing on the 2,510 kilometre journey along the Ganga. It is aimed to lead a conversation with millions of youth to demand safe and abundant world, starting with access to clean water. Many thought Ganga is an appropriate choice since besides being worshipped by millions, innumerable religious, mythological and historical events are connected to it. Synonymous with India, the waterway has spawned and sustained thousands of settlements along its course meeting the water requirements of human and animals alike. Ann Bancroft of BAE explains, “The area represents a great example of deep-rooted dependence on water for human existence.” BAE is co-owned by Ann, who had earlier crossed the North and South poles and Liv Arnesen, travelled to the South pole unsupported. Both teamed up in 2000-01 to travel across Antarctic.
The team led by the US-based Ann, Norway’s Liv Arnesen includes Olfat Haider (Israel), Cindy Jiaojiao Hu (China), Marcia Gutierrez, Chile, South Africa’s Kim Smith, Lisa te Heuheu of New Zealand and India’s Krushnaa Patil, embarked on their 55-day expedition at the source of the river at Goumukh, Gangotri. Passing through several important cities and places, the team will interact with community, especially children and youth to raise awareness, incite advocacy and ignite action for the global water crisis concluding at Kolkata in early December.
Guided by their gut feeling, Ann and Liv chose six members from different continents to ensure the team represented humanity as a whole. “We did not just focus on outdoor women and zeroed on those committed to the cause and willing to share their experiences with their people,” says Ann.
Walking, rafting and motor boating through Ganga’s course, the team will stop at schools and universities to hold formal and informal meetings. “The idea is to hear about the challenges and not suggest solutions. The main purpose is to ask questions and spark reflection. We expect the gathering itself to throw up ideas about the fresh water access problems,” comments Liv.
The basic mission is to connect with youth to make them realise the universality of the fresh water access problem and prepare them to influence the decision-makers to address it. “A global conversation and dialogue about the challenges and solutions especially among the future generation will ensure that the issue is addressed and taken forward,” elucidates Ann.
Directing her attention on all women composition of the team, Ann muses: “Women are care givers and endowed with the ability to come up with creative solutions. Besides it will bolster the confidence of the women while making the men realise their resolution and grit.”
Hailing from industrialised countries, Ann and Liv, feel a judicious balance is imperative to ensure development without any curtailment of basic human rights like access to fresh water. They feel this is possible when people are enlightened and educated thereby able to sway public policies. Citing Mississippi’s example, the river she lives on, Ann shares how public pressure forced the industries to slow down pollution. Liv talks about how the pollution of Mjosa lake due to fertilisers was halted because of people’s movement.
The two disagree with the prevailing feeling that the West faces no water crisis. “In the US people think there is no problem and that is a bigger problem. We are used to running water and when scarcity arises will find it more difficult to adjust than Indians,” says Ann.
Ann and Liv are yet to decide the other waterways to be travelled in the remaining continents. After each leg they intend to take a year’s break to share their stories and ideas with students of their region, lecturing business community.
Participants’ speak
Jiaojiao Hu, China, points to importance of rivers in the Indian and Chinese cultural-scape and comments: “The two are ancient civilisations which originated and flourished along the waterways. Besides playing an important role in the lives of our people, our rivers are related to religion, belief, faith, worship, history and culture. Protecting Ganga is akin to protecting human civilisation.”
Olfat Haider, a Palestinian from Israel, feels that people should cast aside their differences while viewing nature since it belongs to humankind. She shares fresh water scarcity is a contentious issue among the neighbouring countries in her region with Israel exploring the possibility of desalinating sea water for agricultural purposes. Optimistic that the expedition will spread awareness and inspire people to work together for solutions she hopes to learn a lot about Indian culture.
