The entire Uttarakhand state forms the basin of the Ganga river so in order to facilitate the conservation and rejuvenation of the Ganga, it is necessary to protect and rejuvenate all the rivers and springs in this state. Noted water activist, also known as the waterman of India, Rajendra Singh said this in an informal interaction with a group of concerned citizens in Dehradun on Wednesday.
Interacting with the group, Singh said that identification, notification and demarcation were necessary in the process for rejuvenating any river. He exhorted the concerned citizens to work silently on non-controversial aspects of rejuvenating rivers and ecology. Citing the example of activism undertaken for conservation of the Mithi river in Mumbai, he suggested that concerned citizens could start marches along stretches of rivers to raise awareness and facilitate work on conservation of the river. Involving the local residents and children of schools in vicinity of rivers in such activities would further enhance public awareness and concern. On the subject of using seed bombs for the purpose of afforestation, he said that these could also be thrown manually in places intended for afforestation activity. Stating that out of thousands of seeds planted, many will be lost in different stages of a sapling's growth into a tree, he exhorted the people to not get discouraged and continue their efforts. He also stressed on the importance of plantation of native species of trees. Citizens For Green Doon (CFGD) chief coordinator Dr Nitin Pandey, group members Sonia Pandey, Ira Chauhan and members of Making a Difference by Being the Difference (MAD) were also among those present during the interaction.