This article by
Harsh Agarwal is based on a freewheeling conversation with river rights activist, Shri Tapas Das of the Nadi Bachao Jibon Bachao Andolan. During this conversation, Shri Das covered multiple aspects – from his cycle rallies, the ill-effects of river barrages, weak regulatory bodies to the lack of political intent, our lackadaisical approach to river conservation and his hope for the future
Shri Tapas Das runs the Nadi Bachao Jibon Bachao Andolan (Save Rivers, Save Life movement). Based out of Kolkata, Mr. Tapas has a unique way of organizing cycle rallies to raise awareness and garner support for the river conservation movement. One such rally in 2014 ran over 47 days as the activists covered 2200 kms distance from Gomukh till Gangasagar to protest the NaMo government’s plan of building barrages at every 100 kms on river Ganga.