Revitalization of Rivers in India Draft Policy - Isha Guru Jaggi Vasudev

Revitalization of Rivers In India
Draft Policy Recommendation
member industries responsible water consumers. There needs to be an
internally agreed upon industrial standard in directing the industrial
activities of the preexisting industrial setups on the river floodplain.
All industries drawing water from rivers should voluntarily transition
towards ZLD, and Governments should assist them with technology and
finance. The Agri-SEZs that need to be set up for the riverine farmers’
produce would have to be incentivized for safe waste disposal and
minimum usage of the water in their premises.
PRIVATE TRADE AND MARKETING ENTITIES
As fruit production begins, its sale and realization of value will
be important to keep production cycles going. Private organic produce
aggregators will be the key to link producers with markets. Where such
aggregators are not yet operating, existing trade channels for nonorganic
fruits will have to be influenced to buy the produce with a price
differential. Private retail market players, from supermarket chains and
exclusive organic produce outlets to wholesalers supplying to traditional
shopkeepers and pushcart vendors, will need to be linked with. Local
consumption is to be encouraged through improving the infrastructure
and other supports for local haats and provision to supply to schools
and anganwadis. Local production and local consumption will have the
potential to reduce the wastage of fruits and thereby stimulating local
circulation of wealth
POLITICAL LEADERSHIP
The political leadership in the districts where this river
revitalization project will be initiated need to support the farmers in their
districts in the transition to tree based farming models. They can be the
effective link in ensuring the schemes, the program’s farmer-livelihood
support transfers and other support systems are made available to their
farmers in their district. An important role would be to facilitate linkages
between FPOs and consumer markets, and FPO links with Education and
Women & Child Welfare departments for supply of fruits for mid-day
meals in schools and anganwadis.
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