Conservationists are pushing for a national framework to protect India’s rivers and mountains

Rajendra Singh, a water conservationist, argues the need to protect rivers and mountains for future generations and that a law must be introduced in India in this regard. | Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR

Representatives of various organisations, including Tarun Bharat Sangh, scientists and academicians from IIT Dhanbad, Jal Biradari and others came together and sought support from civil society organisations, students, former judges to draft a legal framework, a national mountain and river protection law.

Rajendra Singh, a water conservationist, argued on Sunday the need to protect rivers and mountains for future generations and that a law must be introduced in India in this regard.

Former Supreme Court Justice V. Gopal Gowda said that at a time when India was facing a climate crisis with harsh summers, incessant rains and extreme cold, it was important for various reasons to protect the environment from destruction.

A multi-stakeholder summit was held in Jamshedpur on 22-23 May to secure river and mountain rights and create institutional mechanisms for governance.

“They have also decided to develop a comprehensive ecosystem-based and rights-respecting legal framework for the long-term regulation of activities affecting mountain regions. In this regard, they plan to organize pan-India consultations with civil society organizations, environmental activists and others. We therefore call upon the central and state governments to not only support the draft legal framework but also introduce it as a bill in the country’s Raja G Sabha,” said Mr. Raja G Sabha.

Published – 24 May 2026 21:03 IST