Conservationists push for national framework to protect India’s rivers and mountains

Representatives from various organisations, including Tarun Bharat Sangh, scientists and academicians from IIT Dhanbad, Jal Biradari and others came together, seeking support from civil society organisations, students, former judges for drafting a legal framework, National Mountain and River Protection Act.

Rajendra Singh, a water conservationist, on Sunday argued the need to protect rivers and mountains for future generations and that an Act must be implemented in India in this regard.

Former Supreme Court judge V. Gopal Gowda said that at a time when India was facing climate change crisis with harsh summer, incessant rains and extreme cold, it was important to protect the environment from being destroyed for various reasons.

A summit with various stakeholders was held at Jamshedpur on May 22 and 23, committed to ensuring the rights of the rivers and mountains and to establish institutional mechanisms for governance.

“They have also decided to develop a comprehensive, ecosystem-based and rights respecting legal framework for the long-term regulation of activities impacting mountain regions. In this regard, they plan to organise pan-India consultation with civil society organisations, environmental activists and others. Therefore, we urge the Central and State governments to not only support the drafting of legal framework, but also introduce it as a Bill in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to further implement it in the country,” Mr. Gowda said.