Activists seek law to save rivers, tackle drought

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 3

Debunking the BJP-led Centre’s efforts for rejuvenation of rivers, including its renewed pitch at the Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) programme, leading water activists will gather in the Capital on Thursday for a “jal satyagraha” to highlight India’s “worsening” drought situation due to “lack of laws to protect water structures, geological water and available drinking water”.

“For the first time in the country, water crisis is so severe and so widespread,” water conservation activist Rajendra Singh today said, announcing the “jal satyagraha” to highlight the prevailing water crisis and resulting conflict situations in various parts.

The activists want the Centre and states to enact laws for restoration and conservation of rivers and groundwater to ensure water security for all, together with panchayats and people’s participation.

India’s “waterman”, as he is popularly known, has also submitted a draft copy of what he calls the “River Restoration Bill, 2016,” to the government for the protection of rivers of the country. The “Act” aims at setting a “practical regime of restoration and conservation of rivers and ensuring water security to all life forms”, “keeping in mind the important fact that no one has the right to change the land use of the land belonging to a river and its water”.

“Is the food security possible without water security? If you really want to revive rivers, should there not be a protocol for doing that?” he questioned.