Dehradun, Feb 3 (PTI) – Noted water conservation activist Dwarka Prasad Semwal has called upon the Dehradun district administration to take decisive steps in safeguarding the region's natural water bodies from encroachment and harmful construction practices.
Semwal, who also serves as Uttarakhand’s brand ambassador for water conservation, submitted a memorandum to District Magistrate Savin Bansal, highlighting the plight of 49 ponds, lakes, and other water bodies that are documented in revenue records but are rapidly deteriorating due to human encroachment.
“There is an urgent need for strict measures to preserve water resources. In addition to removing encroachments, we must ban harmful construction practices, such as the use of cement lining in lakes, ponds, and streams under government projects,” Semwal asserted.
As the head of Himalaya Paryavaran Jadi-Buti Agro Sansthan, Semwal announced that the organization is marking 2025 as "Water Year", dedicated to raising awareness about the depletion of water bodies and the necessity of their revival to recharge groundwater levels. A series of awareness programs and initiatives are planned throughout the year.
“The goal of celebrating 2025 as Water Year is to expand the movement statewide so that every citizen can play a role in water conservation,” he added.
By drawing attention to the encroachment crisis in Dehradun’s water bodies, Semwal hopes to spark wider participation and action in preserving these essential natural resources.