21 Feb 2009
Ramon Magsaysay Award Winner Rajendra Singh has called for sensitising the masses about the damage being caused to river Ganga owing to the activities being carried out on it for irrigation, hydro-electricity and pisciculture purposes.
Mr Singh, also known as the ‘Waterman of Rajasthan’, asserted that Ganga was a sacred river, adding it was reverred and worshipped by millions of Indians.
Taking into cognizance the Himalayan geology, the construction of a 600 MW-Loharinag Pala hydropower project in Uttarakhand would be disastrous to India’s cultural and environmental identity, he added.
Former Chairman of Central Pollution Control Board Paritosh C Tyagi said, ”Ganga Ji is a very special river. It demands special treatment. It has been sullied and polluted. Its pristine and divine form could only be seen in the upper reaches of the Himalayas, between Gangotri and Uttarkashi.” Ramon Magsaysay winner M C Mehta said, ”Even the Britons respected the sentiment of Indians for Ganga Ji. They agreed not to block the natural flow of the river. The work of construction is stifling the river, destroying the water repository and religious sentiments. We demand that the Centre and Uttarakhand government take immediate steps towards conserving the heritage of India.” Meanwhile, the alumni of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) had constituted a forum christened ”IITians for Holy Ganga” to spread awareness on the damage being caused to the river.
News Source: http://www.newkerala.com
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