For probably the first time in the city, consumer activists have prepared a ‘water manifesto’, that includes demands like water security, water management techniques and conservation of rivers. The ‘people’s water manifesto’ as prepared by members of Punya Nadi Sansad (Pune river parliament) was given to the party candidates on Wednesday.

Last month the activists had submitted their charter of demands of consumer rights to candidates too. The Pune river parliament was formed by city-based Gomukh organisation in August on the lines of the one formed in Rajasthan by Magsaysay award winner Rajendra Singh. “The prime demands are to check pollution, encroachments, privatisation of water bodies ,” said Sandeep Joshi, a member of water parliament.

We not only expect the candidates to act towards these demands, but also expect the common public to understand the need of water science and engineering to conserve our water resources, Joshi said. The demands in the manifesto are include— citizens’ right to water, declaration and notification of one river as ‘state river’, control and stoppage of pollution of rivers and lakes of Maharashtra with time bound programme, removal, monitoring and further prevention of encroachments near rivers.

“Many promised that they will take action on the same if they came to power. As a challenge, we have included restoration of Mithi river in the demand,’ said Narendra Chugh, another member.