Protection of water bodies like rivers, lakes, ponds and streams from encroachment, pollution and exploitation, a system for separate flow of river and sewage and balancing of recharge and discharge while exploiting surface aquifers are some of the key features of the Water Rights Security Act that has been drafted by water activists like Rajendra Singh, a Stockholm Water Prize laureate and Magsaysay Award winner, and Sanjay Singh of NGO Jal Jan Jodo Abhiyan.
Seeking enactment of the Act at the earliest on the lines of the National Food Security Act, they said on Tuesday here that unless water security is ensured, Modi Government’s goal to provide potable water to all will never be achieved.
Rajendra Singh, who is also known as ‘Waterman of India’, said that the Act must encompass identification, demarcation and notification of water bodies which are presently being converted into private properties.
The renowned water conservationist also stressed on Introduction of a new river and sewage separation system. “Rivers cannot be the carriers of dirt, effluents and garbage of the people and industries. Also we need the community driven decentralised water level management in India,” Rajendra Singh said.
He also opposed the Government’s river linking projects arguing that every river has a different gene pool and has ecological life which should not be disturbed.
Rajendra Singh also slammed Chandra Babu Naidu Government in Andhra Pradesh for throwing caution to the winds while constructing the capital Amravati on flood plains and overlooking its impact on Krishna river ecosystem. He was equally critical of construction of Akshar Dham temple built on the plains of Yamuna river in Delhi terming it a ‘castle built on the sand.’
To draw the attention of the Government and common masses towards water problem and ensure its security, NGOs working in the sector like Jhansi- based Jal Jan Jodo Abhiyan have organized ‘Drought Free India Yatra’ from Kanyakumari to Kashmir and from Goa to Guwahati to be culminated at Bijapur in Karnataka where a national water convention has been planned mid August.
“Today our country is affected by drought and flood. The main reason behind it is improper water management and exploitation of water resources,” Sanjay Singh said while stressing on involvement of community to secure water.