In this part, I look at the broader aspect of saving lakes, rivers and agriculture reforms. This is the time when we have to seriously think about Green energy and green living, because we all know the futility of climate summits like Kyoto or Copenhagen. One thing that this summit failures teach us is citizens of every country have to begin climate change first from within and then ensure that elected representatives are serious enough to implement and live in a green way.
We all know the fact that India is on its way of committing hydrological suicide. Either, we do not take care of our water resources through absolute negligence or we ensure that we pollute it to such an extent that we render it into a big overflowing sewer. New Delhi’s Yamuna river is a classic case of a river being converted into a gutter. The plight of the Ganga and other rivers is such that pollution will render the river absolutely useless, either for spiritual purposes and other basic uses. With climate change ensuring that rivers have to go undergo cyclical periods of drought and flooding, it is about time that we ensure the safety of rivers.
The main problem confronting the rivers of Indis is also the political ramnifications. The Kaveri issue, is something that makes us wonder of what prompts politics over a necessary item like Water. If such a river is flowing through states naturally, then it is upto states to ensure that it is utilized properly. There has to be an independent Water Ministry that is autonomous. This ministry must sign in writing from all the states in the Union of India that no state shall ever have the right to impede water sharing in other states. Dams and other constructions are great but only if it does not impede water supply on the other end. A thorough and easy system of water utilization and sharing must be given by the Water ministry to ensure that states adher to its rational demand and it has the backing of the highest instituitions of the law.
Now, confronting the pollution to rivers, it is but obvious that people are responsible. We, the people, consider rivers to be the personal dumping ground, either spiritually or in everyday life. A law must be passed, making dumping by people or by industries punishable. Enforcing authorities like a Water police, backed by the environment ministry and sanctioned by the highest court of law, must be put in place in all rivers of the country to ensure people and industries stop polluting the rivers through dumping garbage or hazardous industrial materials. Any person or body found guilty is liable to jail time for a period deemed right by the Water Police.
After that, a massive government and private sponsored river cleanliness campaign has to be initiated. There are already plans for the Yamuna. Plans have been outlined as to how they would want to clean it. Ambitious and heartrendering, it is a big space of time. No one can blame the government for asking too much time on the Yamuna, because it has been polluted beyond recognition. This is the time that citizens, being encouraged by both government and private organizations must volunteer, and if not lawfully, conscripted to fight the menace of pollution. All people who volunteer to clean up the rivers of the country must be paid by the hour, and the funding must come from both government and private pooling, with a reasonable timeline.
Barricades must be constructed on both sides of the river, by planting ample number of trees. Large dustbins with sealed covers must be present seperated by one kilometer for any garbage to be thrown in. If there is space, a clean river would be an ideal spot for a picnic. The middle of the river is not the starting point. The source is also important. Many news channels here in India have focused on how the sources of the river have been affected by pollution, wanton construction and neglect. The barricades must be reinforced by demolishing any house within a 5 kilometer radius, which can be used for tree planting or other green activities, in the form of garden constructions.
If one starts at the source, only then can the middle be reinfroced and the end achieved. A natural progression is essential when cleaning the rivers. The same principle applies to the lakes. In India, we face the problem of polluting and neglecting lakes more than rivers. The first step towards hydrological suicide will be avoided if the lakes in cities and towns are saved. The same principle applies. Ensure that the de-silting of the source lake rivulets is undertaken on urgent priority. The feeding sources must be thoroughly cleaned, dug up for depth and width, ensuring that throwing garbage in the feeding source is a gross offense and punishable strictly by law and also demoslishing construction along the path of the source upto a radius of 2.5 to 5 kilometers.
Agriculture is another thing which needs serious reforms. The basic thing that has been observed is farmers go for the cash rather than common sense. In a drought hit area like Bundelkhand, farmers sometimes sow wheat because it fetches more cash. In a perennial drought area like Bundelkhand, growing wheat is just illogical because it needs large quantities of water. By shifting to groundnut, which needs 90% less water, farmers can at least survive and not fall in debt. The debt factor has been the only reason why farmers have committed suicide in the past decade or so. We have just not given due credence to our original ‘annadattas’. Remember, if the farmer dies, we can very well bury our source of food.
Farmers have to till according to the climate and the land, not for the cash. A massive micro-financing project has to be announced which will be headed by Public-Private partnerships. Micro-financing is coming up in a large way in India, and it is but logical to ensure it reaches farmers across all stratas, all crop growers and everybody who is associated with this labour. Use green technology to fight off soil erosion and lack of moisture. Usher in the Vetiver Revolution or Khus revolution. Farmers have heard about Khus, but are still unable to use it for their purposes.
Scientific research has shown that Vetiver has the power to keep moisture content of the soil alive even during drought. It binfs the soil and ensures that soil erosion never takes place. It needs the minimal of maintenance, it is cheap and it is also a cheap mode of preservation. This plant can thrive in all climates and areas of diverse topographies, thus it is an Indian plant made for India. Government and private players must encourage the use of Vetiver, so that Indian agriculture can be saved. If Agriculture needs a revolution, it needs a Vetiver Revolution.
The next and final concluding part will focus on the need for revamping the sewage and storm drain system, the alternative energy scenario and also the need for people to go green from within and not depend on summits.
