Mahadayi dispute: Rajendra Singh to find solution

Hubbali: Stockholm Water Prize winner Rajendra Singh, known as ‘waterman of India,” has taken the initiative to convene a meeting of farmers and experts of Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka on December 5 to find an amicable solution to the dispute over sharing water of the river Mahadayi. Mr Singh, who accompanied hundreds of farmers on a padayatra from Kudal Sangam to Kalasa Banduri project site at Kanakumbi village of Belagavi district, felt that peaceful dialogue was the only solution to this problem. He would also visit all these three states and interact with environmentalists, farmers and other experts before convening a meeting at Sindudurg, on the border of all three states. Stating that Karnataka would not have faced scarcity if it had stopped the western flow of water four decades ago, he said these rivers were drying up and getting contaminated due to exploitation by industrialists. He lamented that farmers in Karnataka are facing drought situation due to lack of disciplined use of the river water though the state receives 10 times more rainfall than that of Rajasthan. Besides, the state government, members of civil society and religious heads have greater role to play in resolving the water problem. 

 

"I am in favour of diverting water of Mayadayi to river Malaprabha as there is no environmental crisis, displacement or any other disaster from the project. There is urgent need to resolve the water dispute to provide drinking water and rid the farmers from recurring drought situation in the region. Therefore, I have convened a meeting of all environmentalists and experts from all three states. 

 

An effort will be made to find solution in the meeting by studying the present status of the Mayadayi Tribunal", he added. Suggesting that the society should consider the river as mother as it is the elixir of life, he said that the government should protect it by enacting a law if the society starts exploiting it. He also said pontiffs have a key role to play in creating awareness about water when government and society fail to deliver with responsibility. Mr Rajendra Singh also visited Naragund and Navalgund to express solidity with farmers. He warned that the agitation would be intensified if a permanent solution was not found at the earliest to the dispute.