Patna,(BiharTimes): Anti-dam activist and author of several books on Himalayan rivers, Ranjiv, has termed the demand for the construction of high dams in Nepal as “be-mausam ki barsaat (unseasoned rain).”
Commenting on Bihar’s water resources development minister Vijay Chaudhary’s statement urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to raise the issue of the construction of high dams on Kosi, Bagmati and Kamla in the highland of Nepal he said the need of the hour is to remove the high dam––that is blockade––caused on river Kosi by the landslide in Nepal. He said Nepal is facing a much bigger threat in comparison to Nepal as any mishandling of the situation may lead to a massive devastation.
He held the rampant construction of dams, embankments, highways and lack of drainage facilities in north Bihar responsible for the annual flooding.
Ranjiv told BiharTimes that it would be highly inappropriate to talk about the construction of high dams now when the situation demands urgent step by the government to undertake relief and rescue works.
The issue of high dams is highly contentious and is being opposed by Nepal.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi neither raised the issue of high dams nor that of Madhesis as the visit was somewhat different in nature. His trip to Nepal has some personal overtone too, he said adding that issues like damming the rivers can not be sorted out so easily. It needs a much better thinking and planning, he added.