Bhubaneswar, May 19 -- Health of the rivers in Odisha is witnessing radical changes due to rampant mining activities. Hence the State government should stop illegal and unscientific mining to preserve the rivers, said Rajendra Singh who is popularly known as 'Waterman of India'.

Singh's comment came on the sidelines of 'Mahanadi Jatra', which kicked off from Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.

Mahanadi Jatra, a rally launched by Mahanadi Bachao Andolan, an outfit fighting for the conservation of the river aims to protect the Mahanadi river in Odisha from the aftereffects of the construction of Kalma barrage in the upper river in Chhattisgarh.

During the three-day visit to Odisha, a 13-member committee led by Singh will prepare a report on possib...