I believe that your river will become a 'nalla' if you don't stand up for it: Rajendra Singh

You have agreed to be the main face of the Mumbai's river rejuvenation plans starting with Dahisar river?

I spoke extensively at the symposium held on Friday to discuss Dahisar river rejuvenation, which was organised by Rivers March — a movement started by like minded people who want to restore Dahisar river to its original glory. I was very impressed that it's a community-led initiative and several stakeholders have come together for their river. I have assured total support from my side and even promised them that I will come to Mumbai and join them whenever they want, not only for Dahisar river but also for three remaining rivers of Mumbai.

What role does a community play in saving the urban rivers?

I believe that your river will become a 'nalla' if you don't stand up and hence their role is a very important one as its this community, who will have to be in constant dialogues with the government as well as authorities. In fact I feel that it is extremely important for groups to form a river parliament for every river in their area consisting of various citizens and different stakeholders. If the civic body or the government wants to do anything for the river they need to consult this river parliament. An engineer might overlook a lot of things about the river but the civil society will have more deep-rooted connections with the river as they live near them. Hence, the role of a strong community which drives an initiative to demand its river be rejuvenated is extremely crucial.

Its been almost a decade since work of Mithi has been taken up by the government, do you see any big change?

Post Mumbai floods in 2005, Mithi and other rivers of Mumbai got recognised. In the last 10 years there has been some kind of continuous activism related to rivers. Also the state governments, including the current one too has changed its view point on rivers and is actively thinking and discussing about the river rejuvenation, which is positive but yes a lot of work still needs to be done.

Why is the work not seen on the ground?

A real change in the river can be only seen when the entire river stretch is as natural as it can be. Since ancient times it has been seen and recorded that rivers in our country or cities are a culture and the sad part is that the government or authorities do not look at its cultural and spiritual part. In the last 30 or 40 years, governments solution for rivers have been physical, technical and engineering. Building embankments or walls to just ensure no flooding takes place is a wrong approach and the work is not seen because the quality of the water of Mithi is still the same.

What according to you, are the steps needed to be taken to get the rivers rejuvenated

A river has three rights. Right to land, flow and a good health and these should not be negotiated at any cost by the citizens when dealing with the government. Similarly in urban context there are three major sources of pollution affecting the rivers — sewage, industrial waste and pollution caused due to various activity including washing and others on the banks of rivers, which should be dealt by involving all the stakeholders amicably. All this has to be done by involving the elected representatives, civic bodies as well as the state government.