Focus On Decentralized Water Management In Kashmir: ‘Waterman Of India’ Rajendra Singh

‘Waterman of India’ Dr Rajendra Singh who was on a few days of visit to remote area Uri in Kashmir spoke to Indiatimes ?in an exclusive chat about his visit, need to conserve water, climatic change and much more.

Singh is an Indian water conservationist and environmentalist from Alwar district of Rajasthan. He is known as the ‘Waterman of India’. He won the Magsaysay Award in 2001 and Stockholm Water Prize in 2015. He runs an NGO called ‘Tarun Bharat Sangh’ (TBS), which was founded in 1975. TBS is working to restore life and hope to the barren land of Rajasthan.

What prompted you to visit Kashmir?

Idrees Bukhtiyar

I learnt that there were a lot of climatic challenges in the valley. Last year, it was 14 degree Celsius temperature in April in Uri and today it was 24 degree Celsius. This is a difference of ten degrees which is huge and we visited there to understand this problem.

Do you think springs are drying up here?

Yes. Springs are truly drying up and need serious attention from the authorities. During my visit, I felt many such springs have dried up that could have created more and more water into small nallahs and rivers. This also shows that water is not being conserved in Kashmir.

Do you think there can be more sources of water?

Idrees Bukhtiyar

I think rains can play a pivotal role but the condition is that the water needs to be saved by creating small dams and reservoirs. The already flowing water in rivers and lakes needs to be channelised as well.

For the last many years Kashmir is witnessing untimely snowfall, erratic rains and cloudbursts. Why so?

There is a major degradation of land and deforestation going on in Kashmir which has impacted its climate, causing unnecessary changes. It is clear when the ecosystem is affected it will hit people living in it and naturally this will trigger many diseases.

Why did you choose Uri for your visit?

Idrees Bukhtiyar

Since we visited Kashmir under a campaign to create awareness among the youth about conservation of water and ecosystem, we found the temperature of Uri region very different as compared to other places and how temperature variation was causing climatic changes there. We also met the students of colleges and schools so as to teach them about water conservation.??

What did you love in Uri or something that inspired you there?

I found the people of Uri are very generous. They were so loving and caring with wonderful hospitality. Despite being a Hindu person, they were never biased in serving us.

What about the soil of the valley?

Idrees Bukhtiyar

It is very fertile and is good for agricultural use only if it is used in a proper way. I found that the soil has been getting wasted due to the erosion and later getting flowed into the water.

As Amarnath Yatra is nearing, experts keep warning that ‘huge concentrations of people’ pose a threat to the environment. Any comments?

I believe that the government should treat them as pilgrims only, not as tourists. But treating them as tourists gives a lot of benefit to the government but this is impacting the ecosystem and climate. We should have some respect for the ecology and climate.

What are your plans for Kashmir now?

I have spoken to the local authorities and told them to start a water conservation campaign and Water Literacy Movement in Uri. I focused on decentralized water management as Uri has a scope of natural water but due to mismanagement of the vital resource, many areas were not receiving the supply. I have assured all my support to the authorities and will visit again.

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