The revival of rivers which are deteriorating is the need of the hour. Encroachment by public, dumping of industrial waste and sewage are depleting rivers while indiscriminate exploitation of ground water has exacerbated the situation, said noted water activist Rajendra Singh. He was interacting with members of Making a Difference by Being the Difference (MAD) at a public interaction on the Rispana riverbed for the revival of the river.
Appreciating efforts of the young volunteers for river revival, Singh, also known as the waterman of India, advised them to devise an immediate action plan.
He suggested that efforts should be focused on organising a ‘river march’ and studying the points where the river is being polluted along its course. Generating awareness among the school children about the river and its revival in the vicinity of Rispana Bridge should be the second step. Active involvement of the public residing in the vicinity of Rispana bridge area should also be encouraged. He exhorted the volunteers to work relentlessly and patiently for the revival of rivers in Dehradun.
MAD volunteers Karan Kapoor, Sammanika Rawat, Aadarsh Tripathi, Sharad Maheshwari, Shivam Badoni, Shipra, Asmita, Jahanavi, Meghna and others were also present on the occasion.