Water problem can be addressed through community-driven initiatives: Rajendra Singh

Visakhapatnam: The magnitude of over-exploitation of water is a clear indication of the third world war over water, water activist and Stockholm Water Prize winner Rajendra Singh has said on Tuesday.

Addressing the gathering at Visakhapatnam Public Library, he said water catchment areas were being encroached upon. "India has overdrawn its underground water and we continue to exploit the resource that belongs to our future generations," he said.

Though water scarcity is a global problem, the solution to this is resolved at local level, the waterman said. "I did it in Rajasthan with the help of the locals, utilising their skills.

With their assistance, we could convert 10,600 sq kms of drought-prone land into the perennial source of water. It had benefitted 1,200 villages across seven districts. This was possible because a villager taught me the science of recharging the water bodies," said Rajendhra Singh, adding that community-driven initiatives would go a long way in overcoming water crisis to a large extent and follow best practices.

Recalling his association with Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan, Rajendhra Singh lauded the efforts made by the JSP chief in his vision to improve the water management.

"Pawan was with me for three days on the banks of Ganga in Haridwar on the occasion of death anniversary of Ganga activist G.D. Agarwal. 'Mana Nudi, Mana Nadi' is a programme of JSP offers solution to the looming water crisis," he stated.

Briefing about his visits to Bheemunipatnam, Mudasarlova reservoir, Kalayanapu Lova along the North Andhra region, Rajendra Singh extended thanks to GVMC Commissioner for considering their request to clear the blocks of Kambalakonda to clear the rainwater flow into the reservoir.

However, the streams from Simhachalam are yet to be restored. If the streams to Mudasarlova are cleared, the reservoir will never dry up again," he mentioned. He asserted that steps should be taken to ensure that the sewage should not enter the reservoir. Activist of Jal Jan Jodo Abhiyan Bolisetty Satyanarayana and former Union Energy Secretary E A S Sarma also spoke.