Jal Chetna Yatra

Dear Friends,

As you are already aware of Rashtriya Jal Biradari and its concern for water issues especially in case of the recently declared National Water Policy for which we are fighting for past few years. Even now after the declaration of the policy on 1st of April 2002 not much reaction has been there from any corner of the country. So Jal Biradari has taken up this responsibility to fight for this issue and to create mass ovement regarding water conservation work all over the country.

Rashtriya Jal Biradari is a platform of various individuals, groups, Voluntary organizations basically all those who are concerned with water conservation work to make it a mass movement and to give its full support and efforts to have peoples oriented water policy both at the Central and State level.

After the finalization of National Water Policy a deep concern has been there among Jal Biradari on various issue mentioned in the policy and the general opinion in the country is that it does not fulfil the Indian people's expectations especially the poorest of the poor.

This policy emphasizes on private control by declaring water as an asset questioning the fundamental rights of the people. The item no.13 in the policy, which illustrates on the private sector participation in the planning, development and management of water resources, is not acceptable to the common people of this country.

Jal Biradari in the coming two years is going to fight to make state water policy (SWP) according to the expectations of people so that even the last person's interest gets its due attention and share. For making such a policy, active peoples participation should be assured to make alternatewater policy based on peoples recommendations. To achieve this objective we have started a mass campaign and are organizing several Jan Sunwai (public hearings) along with Jal Adhikar Yatra (Water Rights Marches) all over the country.

Till date Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttaranchal, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat have already organized Jan Sunwai in their respective states. The Jal Chetna Yatra has been started in the following states: -

* Rajasthan: From the desert area.
* Bihar: From flood prone area Darbhanga.
* Uttaranchal: From Badrinath Peth (hilly regions of Uttaranchal).
* Madhya Pradesh: From 7 Agro-Ecological Zones.
* Maharastra: From Buldana City a Motor Cycle March will move towards Narmada, Rajasthan and then to Delhi.
* Wardha, Sewagram:One batch for Jal Chetna Yatra.
* Gujarat: From Jambusar.

Each state Jal Biradari should see that the community experience should be documented and focus should be given to different agro-ecological climatic zones diversity to make State Water policy giving due respect to the community efforts for water conservation work.

In the New State water Policy it should be ensured that water reaches to everybody and there should be common water rights.

Rashtriya Jal Biradari aims that society should get rights to share responsibility for water conservation and anagement work. So Each State Jal Biradari should see that Jal Chetna Yatra creates an environment and awareness to prepare good water policy and also to promote traditional water conservation through indigenous knowledge and wisdom.

Community has interest in water conservation work only when it has the ownership feeling towards it. So to have community Rights over the water this movement should move forward strongly. I believe we have to create a mass movement to provide safe drinking water, have flood and drought free environment and to rejuvenate Dry Rivers back.

With Best Wishes
Yours,
Rajendra Singh