This refers to the editorial, “Resolving water disputes” (March 16). Tribunals or courts can never resolve disputes relating to river water sharing as is clear from the Punjab-Haryana water dispute in which the orders of the Supreme Court were flouted. The best way, therefore, is to utilise our river and rain water in an optimum manner. First, rain water must be harvested. Second, it must be recycled for irrigation purpose. Rivers must be linked so that flood waters can be transferred to drought-affected areas. The idea is similar to a garland canal in the Himalayan foot hills to trap surplus water.
A similar canal could be considered for the monsoon waters of the western ghats which flow into the sea. Of course, we must aggressively restore our forest and water bodies. If the Aravalli range is reforested and all encroachments cleared, Haryana's problems can be solved. Also, an estimate must be made of the underground waters of the river Saraswati, and this water utilised in Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat, taking care to not waste water.