It is a good notion to put a plan in place to deal with the effects of disasters, but there is also a need for something else that does not currently appear to be on anyone’s radar. The concept of connecting all the waterways in India was first put forth by the late former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The strategy was and still is a vital move in flood mitigation and environmental protection. This plan, if put into action even today, would build a network of rivers that could better disperse water, lowering the likelihood of flooding. The plan’s implementation would put an end to a variety of problems the nation is currently dealing with. However, alongside its implementation, there is a need to increase green cover, for which the government must ensure a blanket prohibition on forest encroachments, in addition to ensuring wildlife protection.
The increased green cover would aid in lowering the carbon emissions released into the atmosphere, which will eventually lower the amount of air pollution and add significantly to the preservation of the planet. Since plants absorb carbon dioxide, one of the primary greenhouse gases responsible for climate change, it should go without saying that if the plan were to be put into action, it would also aid in the fight against global warming, which is a major factor in the occurrence of most natural disasters.
Returning to the idea of connecting rivers, the proposal would have several economic advantages, including the creation of jobs for those involved in building the river network and an increase in the amount of water available for agricultural use, which would increase crop yields and ensure food security for the Indian population. The former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s plan—apart from other necessary measures—for flood prevention and environmental protection must be put into action because it has significant advantages for the economy, the environment, and society. It can also help in the effort to combat global warming.
To guarantee its prompt and efficient implementation, the government—which has been proactive on several fronts, making the change felt across the globe—must take action. For the protection of the nation in general, J&K in particular, and the planet as a whole, the government must take the necessary measures, including those developed along similar lines. This is because anything India does in this direction will have greater effects and draw attention from around the world.
