WATER-AN IMPORTANT AGENDA

BIKASH CHOUDHURY

Water is life. And, life has shaped this civilization for million of years on this planet earth; apparently only one that supports living beings. The population of our country has multiplied four times in past sixty plus years and that has put tremendous pressure on fresh water sources. Apart from that due to lack of awareness, habitual contempt against water conservation and plain abuse of our fresh water resources has brought us to present time when water of infamous Ganga River no more pure or pious that it used to be and Yamuna & Adyar rivers have turned to an urban drainage system that mocks at our civility and civilization. True to his word new Indian Govt. led by our PM has started to clean Ganga and other river systems in the country. A new department of River Development under water resources ministry has been created to focus on such a gigantic task. It is said ‘Well begun is half done’; however, Ganga Action Plan has been languishing for last thirty years without much head way and in spite of draining thousands of crores of public money in the project. May be under an activist prime minister like Modi we will see this National Project taking shape towards its logical conclusion- making Ganga clean and navigable and all Indian River system rejuvenated in a sustainable manner. Apart from Govt. commitment such an important and complex project would require huge amount of funds, public awareness and patronage, involvement of activists and Non-governmental organization passionately working in the domain and most importantly people living in the embankments. There is a need for a popular public movement across the country that would complement the efforts of Govt. on water conservation, river development and rejuvenation and creation of green belt in either side of rivers for the preservation of top soils and the river channels. Prime Minister could appoint a National Committee on Water under the leadership of a very senior leader and drawing members from all political parties with a mandate to create a popular public movement to raise awareness and volunteers for conservation, protection and development of our fresh water resources in the country by initially deploying the workers of all political parties. Govt. could also bring legislation in this monsoon session of Parliament to make Rain Water Harvesting mandatory for all buildings across the country and all roads RWH compliant as that would help our river system a natural flow round the year. This should solve our water woes in most part of our country in a few years.    

                                             

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