Won't allow encroachment of water bodies: UP govt

The Uttar Pradesh government will take steps to check the encroachment of water bodies in the state and also devote efforts to ensure the clean-up of rivers, its water resources minister said here today.
Participating at the 'Hindon-Yamuna-Ganga River Panchayat' here, UP Public Works, Irrigation and Water Resources Minister Shivpal Singh Yadav declared that all water bodies in the state "will be demarcated".
He also said that they are mulling the scope for treating waste water from urban areas for use in irrigation or for industrial purposes.
"All water bodies in UP will be demarcated. We will collect and treat waste water from urban areas and use it for the purposes of irrigation or industrial use. Only then will the canal water level go up," Yadav said at the event organised by Jal-Jan Jodo Abhiyan, which is led by water expert Rajendra Singh.

"We will begin the work. I will issue strict orders. We will not allow encroachment of water bodies and ensure their cleanliness," Yadav said in response to queries raised by Singh earlier during the meet.
Singh, a Magsaysay award winner, demanded that the UP government ensure that river zones and water bodies are identified, demarcated and notified in order to prevent encroachment. He also sought orders to local agencies regarding checking of sewage discharge in water bodies.

"If we can't stop encroachment in water bodies today, the next generations will blame us. Sow seeds for efforts in this direction for our next generation," he told the minister.

Secretary in the Union Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Sashi Shekhar, insisted that all stakeholders, including government, water experts and the public, have a role to play for Ganga's clean-up.
"If the government alone does the job, it will cost us Rs 4 lakh to Rs 5 lakh crore to clean the Ganga. From where will this money come? So, all of us will have roles -- the government, you, people," he said.