River linking no solution to water problem: Rajendra Singh

Ratlam, MP, Dec 25 (UNI) Magsaysay Award winner and water conservationist Rajendra Singh has said river linking could not provide solution to the water problem in the country.

Opposing river linking, Mr Singh told reporters here yesterday that groundwater resources in the country had depleted and both the government and society needed to find solution together.

Stressing that decentralised management was needed to tackle the water problem, he said the water crisis was not natural but man-made and would have been avoided with the help of proper conservation of rainwater.

He asserted that an intimate relation between people and land and water had to be formed.

On groundwater level not increasing in the Malwa region despite heavy rains, Mr Singh said groundwater had depleted in the Malwa region in the past 30 years due to poor rainwater management.

He said agriculture and setting up of industries in the region must be in tandem with the kind of soil and every drop must be saved.

UNI XC-PS 1848