37-Preserving wetlands - Learning the hard way

Abstract

It is said that common sense is the most uncommon commodity these days. Ironically, the wetlands of Udaipur are also a victim of this phenomenon. When the erstwhile rulers of Mewar (i.e. Udaipur region) had developed a chain of interconnected lakes. Their sharp common sense and an acute desire to protect the water bodies, compensated for the lack of advanced technology in those days. The plight today is that despite advanced technology, the vested interests of land-mafia, hoteliers, and corrupt politicians / bureaucrats, are vertually hastening the doom of our water bodies. Today, NGO's, comprising of experts from various fields, learn very soon that their enthusiasm for preservation of wetlands can not cope up with the apathy and indifference of dozens of government departments, that claim ownership of the lakes without being accountable for them. While this paper highlights the steps taken by Jheel Sanrakshan Samiti to preserve the lakes of Udaipur, it also seeks to draw attention to some of the mistakes committed by JSS, and the obstacles faced by JSS through the apathy & indifference of political decision makers, who can be controlled only by the carrot- & - stick treatment by the voter.