The Himalayas and the Ganga, Yamuna and other rivers originating in Uttarakhand have for long been providing water for the nation but at the present rate, the State might get degenerated into a desert if necessary action is not taken now. The ‘Water Man of India,’ Rajendra Singh said this while talking to The Pioneer here on Thursday.
In Dehradun as part of Jal Satyagraha started at Champaran on April 18 from where Mahatma Gandhi had initiated the Satyagraha movement 100 years ago, Singh said, “Only Uttarakhand has A-class rivers originating in the Himalayas which used to provide water to the nation but now it is experiencing droughts and floods in recent years. Originating in Uttarakhand, the holy Ganga river becomes so polluted that by the time it reaches Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh, the water in the river is not fit to even enter. About 25 to 30 per cent of the small rivers in Uttarakhand which were perennial now flow only during the monsoons.
Across the nation, we have merged the clean and dirty streams making most of the water unfit for drinking. With 11 states experiencing drought at present, we should understand that changes in our lifestyle, crop cycles and absence of respect for traditional knowledge and natural wealth have exacerbated the situation. In our campaign so far we have found that most of the people are dissatisfied with both the Union Government and State Governments when it comes to drought and natural resources. We have covered 380 districts in the last three years requesting the authorities concerned to clear water bodies of encroachment but so far only about 50 district authorities have taken steps in this direction.”
Replying to a query on planned and constructed dams on rivers in Uttarakhand, Singh said that the people will not allow resumption of work on hydro electric projects stalled in Uttarakhand. “The public has been silent so far but due to greedy Netas and their questionable developmental plans taking Uttarakhand towards becoming a desert like Rajasthan, the people will not remain silent any longer and will not allow resumption of the stalled power projects.” Referring to the Centre’s river linking programme, he said that as every river has its own character the linking of rivers would be more of a linking of corruption and pollution. Instead of big dams, we need to make smaller check dams to retain and recharge our aquifers . Small power plants should be established to harness the energy generation potential of river curves but so far this aspect has remained neglected.”
Those participating in the campaign informed that the Jal Satyagraha started on March 18 will conclude at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on May 5 to discuss and plan the future course of action.