Waterman dislikes' interlinking of rivers

Vijayawada: Interlinking of rivers will be a big threat for environment in future, said Mr Rajendra Singh, Stockholm Water prize winner.  He said linking rivers was equal to linking pollution and corruption.

“Linking rivers is just like linking your blood vessels to that of other persons, which can damage the system,” said Mr Singh, known as the Waterman for his pioneering work.

Mr Singh was speaking in a panel discussion, ‘Water and Development’, at the 28th National Book Festival organised by the Vijayawada Book Festival Society at Swaraj Maidan on Sunday.

“Andhra Pradesh is a beautiful state and has enough water. Inter linking the heart and brain will give better results than linking rivers,” Mr Singh said. Interlinking of rivers was not an ideal model as it involves huge economic activity. Decentralised water management would give better results, he said.