“Waterman” Rajendra Singh Calls Chambal a Treasure, Warns of Ecological Disaster in Shahabad
Report by: K.D. Abbasi | Kota
Rajendra Singh, known globally as the ‘Waterman of India’, sounded a serious warning on Thursday during a press interaction in Kota. Speaking candidly, he declared that the Chambal River is a treasure for the people of Kota, Shahabad’s forests must be saved, and the public needs to be awakened. But his words also carried frustration — at both governmental apathy and the inertia within local water advocacy groups.
Singh expressed grave concern over the deteriorating condition of the Chambal River. “Once considered one of the cleanest and healthiest rivers in India, Chambal is now sick,” he said. “It’s suffering from a heart disease, but people are trying to cure it in a beauty parlour.” He accused the government of staging a charade by initiating construction along the riverbanks, which, according to him, is akin to executing the river under the guise of beautification. Instead of building on the banks, he insisted, trees should be planted to restore the ecosystem — which hasn’t happened.
Regarding Shahabad’s forests, Singh warned of an impending disaster. He revealed that permission has been granted to a company that could potentially result in the felling of 25 to 30 lakh trees, despite official claims suggesting a much lower number. “I'm not here to frighten you, but to awaken you,” he declared.
Repetition and Inaction:
Interestingly, Singh had voiced almost identical concerns during his visit to Kota nearly two years ago. When this was pointed out by the reporter — even quoting him verbatim from his previous visit — Singh deflected the question to local collaborators. A member of the ‘Chambal Parliament’ candidly admitted, “Our progress has been negative on this front.”
Chambal Parliament President Kunj Bihari Nandwana appealed to the media to help awaken public consciousness. However, when a senior journalist criticized the group for functioning as a closed circle of 15-20 people unwilling to collaborate with other environmental organizations like “Hum Log,” the group’s convener Brajesh Vijay claimed that other groups were unwilling to cooperate.
When further questioned about how a mass movement could be built without collaboration, there was no satisfactory response.
A Movement Without Momentum:
Singh’s tone and the overall interaction gave the impression that he has largely lost faith in voluntary energy and movement-building. His expectations now seem directed more at government intervention than grassroots mobilization. The usual passion associated with activist leadership seemed absent.
As for his scheduled engagements in Kota, organizers only disclosed a single event at an educational institution on Friday at 11 a.m. When asked about other events, the organizers appeared flustered and claimed they were “not authorized” to share additional details.
Even the banner behind the press conference stage displayed a subject that Singh did not address during his talk — possibly because he was unaware of it. Several of the organizations listed as hosts were also notably absent.
Ultimately, what was anticipated to be a stirring press conference by India’s celebrated “Waterman” concluded as just another routine or slightly disjointed discussion about water.
साभार :
© CopyRight Pressnote.in | A Avid Web Solutions Venture.