MAD & ETF conducted joint survey of upper area of Rispana river

DAINIK NATION BUREAU

Making A Difference by Being the Difference (MAD) members and Eco Task Force (ETF) led by Col. HSR Rana today undertook an on foot survey of the upper area of Rispana river.

It may be noted that earlier Chief Minister, Trivendra Singh Rawat had tasked the Eco Task Force with an ambitious plan to undertake massive plantations around Rispana Valley to rejuvenate the drying River as it enters the city. Earlier MAD members had suggested the CM that the Rispana Valley needs massive plantation. Acknowledging the work done by MAD on the ground as well as its research, 127th ETF Col. Rana reached out to the organization and asked for the specific inputs on the River.

During course of the trek, Participants had an adventurous experience, from climbing the hills to entering the river to find some of its many sources, members participating walked for over 4 hours. Not only it was it seen that there was perennial water flow in the area, but also it was noted that such water flow was significant, even after the jal sansthan draws much of  Dehradun’s drinking water supply from River Rispana’s upper raiperian area while disregarding the normal ecological flow of the river.

How illegal tourism is destroying environment

It was found that the above the Shikhar falls area before the thaliyani village, a lot of trash such as beer bottles, wrappers chips were dumped around that indicates unregulated tourism. It was also noticed that how the rival of river in the main city can be undertaken by removing invasion species such as lentana from the source of the river and by involving botanists specialists to suggest thoughtful tree plantation and to involve the National Institute of Hydrology at Roorkee that has already declared Rispana a perennial river in its report in 2014. By involving NIH Roorkee, precipitation in the rivers can be measured and the rejuvenation can be undertaken accordingly.

On being asked by Eco Task Force for specific suggestions, MAD members outlined the need to have achievable and tangible targets – such as doubling the water flow by this time next year by practicing water conservation techniques, rain water harvesting and suitable plantation. The matters is now in the hand of Eco Task Force, MAD members have expressed hope for spirited rejuvenation campaign for the river.

During trekking MAD Founding President Abhijay Negi, Vijay, Vinod, Akshat, Daksh, Shivam, Rahul were part of it.