Deforestation of land has taken place at faster rate under

Criticising the Narendra Modi government, eminent environment activist Rajendra Singh today alleged that the pace at which "deforestation" has taken place since the last one year, has not been witnessed in the last three decades.
The pace with which forest land has been deforested and its usage has changed after the Narendra Modi government came to power, had not been witnessed since 1980. It has happened in Maharastra, Gujarat, everywhere, Singh said at an afforestation programme organised by the forest department here.
Singh, who is widely popular as the 'Water Man', alleged that forest land have been allotted to coal miners, thermal power projects; and even Tadoba Tiger Project land has been given to the Adanis.

The government's behaviour tells how insensitive are they towards environment and our future, he said.
Overlooking the orders of Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal, the Centre is going on with deforestation. We appeal the government to stop it or there will be no rains, Singh said.
Rajasthan-based Singh also suggested that industries should make direct purchase of land from the people for urbanisation, for developing Special Economic Zones and for new projects.

The 'Water Man', however, welcomed the creation of a separate Ministry for the cleaning of Ganga river.
But he said the government should first try and clean small rivers as they flow into the big ones and pollute them.

Talking about the lack of drinking water, he said 232 villages at the time of Independence faced the problem but now 2 lakhs out of total 6 lakhs villages were facing this.
He suggested there is need for water resources to be identified, photographed and registered.
Singh has won Ramon Magsaysay award in 2001 for his work on community-based water harvesting and water management.
He also has been conferred the prestigious Stockholm Water Prize this year for his innovative water restoration efforts in the villages.