Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that Halma tradition of Jhabua and Alirajpur districts is wonderful and this tradition of participation by tribal brothers and sisters can save the world from global warming. The world should learn from this tradition. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also says that the Government alone cannot save the world from global warming. If the Government and society stand together in a tradition like Halma, then we can give the message of saving the world through Halma.

Chouhan attended the closing ceremony of Halma Utsav and Vikas Yatra at Hathipav Pahadi in Jhabua district on Sunday. CM said that today I have come here to welcome and greet all the devotees who came here for Halma Utsav. He congratulated and thanked the Shivaganga family for reviving and giving prestige to the wonderful tradition of Halma. He expressed happiness that the light of his festival is reaching every village from Hathipav Pahadi. He urged the Vanvasi community to continue this great tradition. Chouhan said that if the Government and society stand together, the entire scenario can change. He said that while expanding this tradition in the entire Madhya Pradesh, he will work for water, soil and environment protection. He also administered an oath to this effect to all the people present in the programme.

Chouhan has said that PM Modi has changed the face of India. The Central and State governments are dedicated towards welfare of poor. I salute the leadership of PM, who has left no stone unturned towards tribal welfare. Previous government had stopped schemes like Sambal and Teerth-Darshan and arrangements for grants. Our Government is starting Ladli Bahna Yojana to empower women financially and for betterment of the families. In the programme, the CM taught tribal brothers and sisters like a teacher to make them aware of the provisions of PESA rules. He said that PESA rules will play a key role in empowering the tribal society. The cycle of religious conversion will not be allowed to continue in tribal areas of the State. Attempts to snatch the land of tribals by deceit will be strictly stopped. He said that Gram Sabhas have been given the right to collect Tendupatta under PESA rules.

This arrangement has been made so that Tendupatta of the village is plucked in the village itself and right of collection and sale also remains with the village itself. He said that a provision has also been made in the PESA rule that the person taking the villagers out of the village for labour work will have to inform the Gram Sabha that where and for how many days he is taking the villagers to save them from exploitation. Now only Gram Sabha will decide whether a new liquor shop is to be opened in the village or not. Now no one will be able to charge interest beyond a limit. Peace and Disputes Redressal Committees are being formed to settle minor quarrels and disputes in the village.

Member of Parliament (MP) Guman Singh Damor said that CM has arrived here with the Gaiti (pick axe) from Bhopal. This is the honour of our tradition, because all the forest dwelling brothers who reach Halma also arrive in the same way with Gaiti. Padma Shri Mahesh Sharma of Shivganga Abhiyan said that Chouhan has given example of Rajdharma by participating in Halma. He gave an example and told that thousands of ponds were built in the bygone days by this Halma tradition, in which kings also participated in the same way and offered Shramdan. Rajaram Katara of Sivaganga campaign gave information about tradition of Halma. He told that invitations were being given for this event for two months. That invitation is also given by singing songs in an emotional way. In the programme, Dr Deepmala Rawat read out citation centred on late Dilip Singh Bhuria, the father of PESA Act. CM Chouhan along with other guests presented this citation to former minister Nirmala Bhuria daughter of late Dilip Singh Bhuria. Dedication-foundation stone laying of development works: At the conclusion of Vikas Yatra, Chouhan provided benefits to beneficiaries of various schemes. Along with this, he dedicated 45 development works costing Rs 26.17 crore and also performed bhoomipujan of various construction works costing Rs 245.79 crore. Chouhan was welcomed with Bhagoriya dance at the venue.