28 September 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : On World Rivers Day, environmentalist and Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal called for stronger efforts to protect rivers, stressing that safeguarding water bodies is essential for securing the future of coming generations.
Seechewal has long campaigned for the restoration of rivers and protection of Punjab’s water resources, particularly the Kali Bein, while advocating greater public participation in environmental conservation.
Call to Protect Rivers
Seechewal said rivers are not merely sources of water but vital ecological systems that support agriculture, biodiversity and human life.
He urged people to treat rivers as shared natural assets and work collectively to prevent pollution, encroachment and the unchecked discharge of waste into water bodies.
Punjab’s Rivers Face Growing Pressure
Punjab’s water resources face pressure from agricultural demand, industrial activity, untreated waste and declining groundwater levels.
Environmental campaigners have repeatedly called for better sewage treatment, stricter monitoring of industrial discharge and restoration of natural waterways.
Kali Bein Restoration Remains a Key Example
Seechewal’s environmental work is closely associated with the Kali Bein, a historic rivulet in Punjab.
The cleanup and restoration campaign around the waterway became an example of community-led environmental action, with volunteers participating in removing pollution and restoring sections of the rivulet.
The initiative also drew national attention to the condition of Punjab’s rivers and the importance of community involvement in conservation.
Rivers and Groundwater Are Connected
Protecting rivers is also important for Punjab’s broader water security.
Healthy river systems can support wetlands, aquatic ecosystems and groundwater recharge. Pollution and degradation of surface-water bodies, meanwhile, can affect both ecosystems and communities dependent on water resources.
Need for Collective Responsibility
Seechewal has repeatedly stressed that environmental protection cannot be left entirely to government agencies.
Citizens, industries, farmers, local bodies and governments all have a role in reducing pollution and protecting water sources.
Simple measures such as preventing waste dumping, treating sewage and protecting riverbanks can contribute to long-term river conservation.
World Rivers Day Message
World Rivers Day is observed to raise awareness about the importance of rivers and encourage their conservation.
The occasion provides an opportunity to highlight challenges facing freshwater ecosystems and promote efforts to protect rivers for future generations.
A Message for Future Generations
Seechewal’s message on World Rivers Day comes at a time when water security has become an increasingly important environmental issue in Punjab.
Protecting rivers, he emphasised, is ultimately linked to protecting the state’s ecological balance and ensuring that future generations have access to clean and sustainable water resources.