Saryu Roy and ‘Waterman’ Rajendra Singh to Lead National Environmental Seminar in Jamshedpur

Jamshedpur: Jamshedpur will host a two-day national “Mountain and River Conference” on May 22 and 23, 2026. The seminar, organized by Tarun Bharat Sangh and Yugantar Bharti, will gather environmentalists from across India—specifically those dedicated to the preservation of rivers and mountains—to discuss their current status, future, and conservation strategies.

Key Event Details

• Venue: Motilal Nehru Public School.
• Timing: The event inaugurates at 9:00 AM on May 22 and concludes at 6:00 PM; sessions on May 23 run from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM.
• Collaborators: Partnering organizations include IIT (ISM, Dhanbad), Jal Biradari, Nature Foundation, Swarnarekha Region Development Trust, and Mission Y.

Organization and Leadership

The organizing committee operates under the patronage of Jamshedpur West MLA Saryu Roy and environmentalist Rajendra Singh, popularly known as the “Waterman of India”.

• Convener: Distinguished environmentalist Dinesh Mishra.
• Co-convener: Anshul Sharan.
• President of Organizing Committee: Manoj Kumar Singh.

To ensure efficient execution, the committee has established 14 specialized departments, including Registration, Hospitality, Media Coordination, and Culture.

The Call for Robust Legislation

During a preparatory meeting on Wednesday, MLA Saryu Roy emphasized the urgent need for dedicated laws to protect mountains and rivers.

• Legal Gaps: Roy noted that while the Forest and Irrigation departments have certain regulations, they are not specifically centered on the holistic preservation of mountains or rivers.
• Proposed Draft: Experts at the seminar will work on a draft proposal for mountain and river protection to be submitted to the Government of India.
• Environmental Concerns: Roy highlighted the deteriorating health of the Swarnarekha River, where declining oxygen levels are causing fish die-offs, and stressed that mountains are crucial regulators of our climate.
• Defining Mountains: He referenced recent Supreme Court discussions regarding the definition of mountains in the Aravalli region, noting that a lack of legal definition complicates conservation efforts.

Environmentalist Dinesh Mishra added that while mountains exist, they are becoming “invisible” due to neglect. The conference aims to prepare comprehensive documents in Hindi and English to present factual evidence to the government and pressure the administration for collective action.