By Dr Arvind Kumar
Media reports indicate that in the aftermath of recent floods, China has begun to review its old laws relating to water and soil conservation and revise them accordingly to provide comprehensive protection for land and water resources in planning, controls and monitoring.
In the aftermath of recent Leh tragedy and current floods affecting Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and other parts of the country, the current scenario calls for revision of old laws pertaining to water and soil conservation in view of the increased industrial and urbanization activity. The loss of soil and water portends grave threats to the ecology, food safety and flood control. With a view to keep pace with fast changing economic and social development and environmental requirements following measures need to be accorded priority while amending existing laws on water and soil conservation:
Proper coordination between and among different departments at Central and State levels;
Regular monitoring and evaluation of water and soil loss;
Water administration departments at district level and State level should draw up plans for land and water conservation;
An investigation mechanism needs to be evolved for studying the existing areas suffering from water and soil loss and findings should guide future planning;
Forests and grasslands in areas affected by severe land and water loss should be left untouched.
