Several threats have emerged in recent years to the pristine Himalayan rivers of Uttarakhand. These include: (i) the proposed construction of 220 dams (ii) the drying up of rain fed rivers due to deforestation and deforestation of their catchments (iii) release of untreated sewage from river side towns and habitations and (iv) illegal sand mining of river beds. Even sacred rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna have not been spared. The construction of tunnels at 173 locations will convert most rivers into a series of lakes connected by pipes (tunnels) through which most of the rivers will flow. Dams in cascades in highly seismic regions are a hazard to the riverside communities. In 2007, activists and concerned citizens of Uttarakhand decided to launch the Uttarakhand Nadi Bachao Abhiyan to campaign for saving the rivers. A net-group --Uttarakhand Rivers Action Network (uran_psi) has been initiated as a part of this campaign. This is a discussion forum on the above issue. We will keep on posting the updates on activities of Uttarakhand Nadi Bachao Abhiyan. Your support is welcome. Please join this group by logging in here: URAN PSI Group
Post By: iwp