Need to grasp cultural, social aspects of Ganga to clean it: Magsaysay award winner Rajendra Singh

NEW DELHI: Observing that the right path is is not being adopted for rejuvenating river Ganga, noted water expert Rajendra Singh today said that cleaning up the river is not possible without understanding it's "cultural and social aspects".

The Magsaysay award winner said that, "... without cultural and social understanding about Ganga, you cannot make it clean Ganga. On the one hand, (you require) science, technology and engineering and on the other hand, you need cultural and social aspects of Ganga. Without an understanding of this it is not possible."

He was speaking on the sidelines of launching the 'World Water Walk for Peace' here.

Pointing out that there was no major progress in cleaning up river Ganga in the last three decades, he said, cleansing the polluted holy river would be possible only when serious efforts are being made in this regard.

Queried whether he was of the view that the government is not adopting the right path for rejuvenating river Ganga, he replied "Yeah."

The 'World Water Walk for Peace' launched today in India, as part of an international campaign on conservation of water, would be carried out continuously for the next five years across India and abroad as well.