Hyderabad: The Water Man of India and Ramon Magsaysay Award winner Rajendra Singh promised to assist the improvement of Vedavathi and Hagari rivers to beat desertification at Dargahonnur in Kanekal mandal in the district.
Singh on Sunday inspected the sandunes formed near Dargahonnur, Tumbiganur and 10 surrounding villages. The dunes here resemble those in the deserts of Rajastan.
During a talk with farmers, Singh said the situation in Anantapur district was almost similar that of Rajasthan. “But the rainfall is three times more than Rajasthan. That is enough to treat symptoms of desertification in Kanekal mandal,” he said while promising his help for the region.
Singh has directed villagers of sandune hit areas to focus efforts on arresting water bodies. Citing earlier success stories, Singh said arresting rain water had not only helped in recharging ground water but it had helped rivers too.
Chief WHIP and Rayadurgam MLA Kaluva Sreenivasulu, who invited Singh said he hopes the expert will teach farmers and officials in the region the latest techniques.
