Kapurthala, Aug. 6 -- Rajya Sabha member Balbir Singh Seechewal on Wednesday raised the issue of protecting the country's rivers and natural water resources during the Parliament's ongoing monsoon session. Speaking during a special mention, Seechewal said unless illegal encroachments on rivers, streams, seasonal rivulets, drains, lakes and other natural water bodies were removed without delay, the consequences will be disastrous for the environment, agriculture and future generations. He urged both the central and state governments to implement the NGT directions, and launch a concerted drive to free rivers and water bodies from illegal encroachments. Referring to Punjab, he said encroachments on rivers, streams, drains and other water channels had severely hampered floodwater drainage. "Encroachments pose a threat to both human life and property while causing irreversible environmental damage ," he said. HTC...