Waterman of India Rajendra Singh warns against demolition of check dams in Telangana

Rajendra Singh, the Waterman of India, has alleged deliberate demolition of check dams in Telangana for sand mining. After inspecting damaged sites, he urged urgent government action, warning of severe consequences for farmers and rural communities if culprits are not punished

Hyderabad: Renowned environmentalist and Ramon Magsaysay Award winner Rajendra Singh, known as the Waterman of India, has alleged that recent destructions of check dams in Telangana are deliberate acts of sabotage aimed at illegal sand mining. After inspecting damaged sites in Karimnagar and Peddapalli districts, he urged the state government to act swiftly, warning that neglect could lead to further losses for farmers and rural communities.

Singh, who has spearheaded the construction of over 15,800 check dams across 23 rivers in India to revive water bodies, visited the affected check dams in Tanugul village (Jammikunta mandal, Karimnagar district) and Adavi Somanapalli village (Manthani mandal, Peddapalli district). He described the incidents as unprecedented in his decades-long career in water conservation.

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“Upon close inspection, it’s clear these are outright demolitions,” he said. “Holes were drilled, and gelatin sticks were used to blast them. Check dams typically collapse under water pressure from the flow direction, but these fell against the natural flow—something impossible without human intervention.”

He dismissed claims of structural failures or natural causes, noting that the dams had withstood heavy floods but collapsed only after the water receded. “If a barrage survives intense floods and heavy rains, how can it fall when it is stable and dry? This wasn’t natural. It was demolished,” he emphasized, pointing to sand mining as the motive.

Singh highlighted the critical role of check dams in rural livelihoods. “These small barrages, often just 2.5 metres high, provide irrigation and drinking water to communities on both sides of the river. The sand in the riverbed naturally purifies water, supporting economic, cultural, and ecological aspects of life. But selfish individuals are destroying them for profit, leading to injustice for farmers and environmental degradation.”

Expressing deep concern over the involvement of the ‘sand mafia’, he called for immediate government intervention. “The government must respond urgently—arrest the culprits, conduct a war-footing investigation, and punish them severely.”

He announced the formation of a People’s Inquiry Commission to probe these incidents, warning that any delay would endanger more check dams. Singh recalled that farmers had previously filed police complaints against similar conspiracies. “Farmers protect nature and sustain life. They don’t destroy it for greed. The government should identify these selfish actors and jail them. No one has the right to harm the environment for personal gain.”

Singh outlined his action plan, stating that “Water conservation should be the mission of all stakeholders.” Water resource experts such as W Prakash Rao, former Chairman of Telangana Water Resources Development Corporation, accompanied Singh during the inspections.