Yamuna will become good enough for a dip in 3 yrs: Water minister

delhi

Updated: Nov 29, 2015 00:58 IST

Water minister Kapil Mishra on Saturday assured that the Yamuna’s water will be improved within three years to make it good enough to bathe in.

“Rivers are a reflection of our cities… In three years, the river will be clean enough to take a dip in,” Mishra said, while addressing the gathering at the India Rivers Day function here.

He also stressed that Delhi does not require any more water from external sources such as the Renuka Dam or Sharda Yamuna River link.

“Likeminded people have started to run the show now and I truly believe that together all this positive energy is sure going to bring about a positive change and will help us save the river,” said Mishra.

The India Rivers Day brought together several individuals and organisations who have been working on the issues of river conservation in the country.

“Following the success of last year’s first ever India Rivers Week held in November, the consortium of NGOs including WWF-India, INTACH, SANDRP, Toxic Link and Peace Institute have also organised an exhibition on the occasion to showcase the past, present and (desirable) future of the Yamuna, which will remain open to public at INTACH till November 30,” one of the organisers said.

Water activist Manoj Misra also participated in the function.

“The event was made memorable and defining through plain speaking both by minister Kapil Mishra and Anupam Mishra in his keynote address. The event also highlighted the relevance of Bhagirath Prayas Samman,” he said.

The event also saw activists and conservationists being awarded with the Bhagirath Prayas Samman for their work towards protecting and rejuvenating rivers.

Save Mon Region Federation for their work to safeguard the integrity of the river Tawang and Nyamjangchhu (Arunachal Pradesh), Sachidanand Bharati, of Doodhatolli Lok Vikash Sansthan (Uttarakhand) for efforts on rejuvenating river Gad Ganga, Sambhaav Trust for their work on revival of river Nanduwali in Alwar and Emmanuel Theophilus for his work on protecting the integrity of river Mahakali in Uttarakhand were feted with the award.