VIJAYAWADA: Waterman of India Rajendra Singh has launched Krishna River Conservation Tour from Hamsaladeevi in Krishna district to Bijapur in Karnataka. The tour kick-started at Durga Ghat in the city here on Wednesday. Noted urban planning expert and professor Vikram Soni, former minister Vadde Sobhanadreeswara Rao and others also participated in the march and inspected the river bed.
Speaking after launching the march, Rajendra Singh underlined the need for conducting river protection yatra to conserve the rivers in the country. In this regard, Krishna River Protection Yatra was called from Hamsaladeevi to Bijapur. Singh added that rivers are classified into three types--Blue Zone, Flood Plain (Green zone) and High flood plain zone. Over the months, Krishna River has been polluted due to mixing of industrial waste and sewage into the river at various points. In addition to that, sand mining, Amaravati capital construction and illegal constructions in the river bed are posing a serious threat to the environment.
“I am not against Amaravati capital construction, but the location identified by the State Government is a fertile land and a flood prone area. The government should instead develop the world class capital in non-fertile lands available in the State,” said Singh. He added that if Chief Minister N Chandrababu continues to neglect the suggestions made by environmentalists, Amaravati would witness severe floods in the near future.
Former director of Delhi Jalamandali and Professor Vikram Soni said that river beds and bank areas should only be used for cultivation and is not suitable for concrete structures. One can produce fruits and vegetables for a million citizens by taking up organic farming in the land near to river beds. “The Krishna river bed is very precious and not man made. No one can replace this heritage structure. If we disturb the natural flow of river Krishna and occupy its river bed, it will lead to a disaster. We must learn a lesson from the many incidents in recent time at Chennai, Mumbai and other cities,” added Soni.
Rajendra takes a dig at CM
Rajendra Singh also took a dig at Naidu for neglecting the suggestions made by the environmentalists and of those residing in Krishna river floodplains. He emphasized that Naidu should at least consider the words of his yoga guru Jaggi Vasudev who undertook “Rally for rivers” campaign.
“We have started this tour for the freedom of rivers in the country to mark the 70th independence day. As many as 115 rallies of similar kind and nature lovers from various fields have joined hands on this tour which ends at Bijapur on August 15,” added Rajendra Singh.