Government-people partnership could solve Uttrakahnd water issue: Rawat

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat Saturday called for a government-people partnership to revive dried-up rivulets in the hill state, which faces a water problem.

Participating in the inauguration of Worship to WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) summit of spiritual leaders, organised by Global Interfaith WASH Alliance (GIWA), the chief minister said this initiative had the potential to transform India into a clean, green and a healthy nation.

According to a GIWA release, Rawat said if one lakh ponds were constructed by the people and the government together, it would revive dried up rivulets in Uttarakhand.

The state would be the only state to offer green bonus and water bonus for planting trees and constructing ponds respectively, he said.

More than 200 spiritual leaders were present at WASH.

GIWA co-founder Swami Chidanand Saraswati said: "It is great that we can send shuttles to space but let us also create space here for WASH. The 'Worship to WASH revolution' is a powerful symbol of such a collective and innovative approach that will clean and purify not only our outer environment but our inner environment also."