CM Dr Mohan Yadav launches Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan

Staff Reporter

ON the occasion of World Environment Day, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav inaugurated the Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan by worshipping the origin of the Betwa river and planting a sapling of banyan tree. He also said that under this scheme, 990 developmental works worth Rs 3,090 crore are being started. “Indian culture believes that the Earth, mountains, rivers, trees, and plants have life and they are reverable to us. Just as blood circulates through arteries in the human body, similarly, rivers circulate life on earth. Hence, the constant flow of rivers is necessary for all of us. Polluting the flow of rivers or creating obstructions in them is equivalent to creating obstructions in life. From this point of view, the conservation of water sources is essential for human life”. He said that while inaugurating the Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan at the origin of the Betwa river located at Jhiri Baheda in Raisen district. Notably, the campaign will conclude on June 16 in Ujjain on the occasion of Ganga Dussehra.

Chief Minister Dr Yadav said that the Betwa river originates near Bhopal and this water merges in the Ganga basin. When Chief Minister Dr Yadav reached the program venue, the local women welcomed him by taking out a ‘Kalash Yatra’ while traditional musical instruments were also played. Chief Minister Dr Yadav was accompanied by tribal brethren in planting 108 saplings. Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Prahlad Patel, former minister Dr Prabhuram Chaudhary, former minister and MLA Surendra Patwa were also present tin the programme. “Natural resources are the gift of god. The world environment day is celebrated to instill the feeling of conservation and accepting the importance of these resources on the planet. A sapling contains life and the Jagdish Chandra Basu, who discovered this fact, once said that the Indian culture worships flora and consider them as lively.” CM said. He also said that under this scheme, 990 developmental works worth Rs 3090 crore are being started. The efforts to restore the water reservoirs, plantation drives and works for environment conservation will be conducted in all parts of the state including districts and panchayats.

Chief Minister Dr Yadav said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi started the Namami Gange campaign for the conservation of rivers. Similarly, on his initiative, Rs 45,000 crore were made available to Madhya Pradesh and Rs 45,000 crore to Uttar Pradesh for the Ken-Betwa-Link Project. With this important initiative of the Link River Campaign, the entire area of Bundelkhand will be irrigated and the drinking water-related problems of the people of the area will also be solved. Similarly, for the campaign to link the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal river with Rajasthan, activities will be conducted with Rs 35,000 crore in Madhya Pradesh and Rs 35,000 crore in Rajasthan. Chief Minister Dr Yadav said that there are origins of many rivers in our state which are as important as the sources of life.

Under the Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan, programmes for the protection of the origins of rivers will continue. Under the campaign, activities like public awareness about water structures and Jal Sammelans will also be conducted. Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Prahlad Patel, thanking CM Yadav for starting the Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan, said that the campaign must not be considered a ritual. We should ensure activities like saving all water sources, cleaning them, and planting trees around them with public participation. “In the campaign which will run till June 16, the Chief Minister will visit the origin of a river every day and participate in site conservation, cleaning, and tree planting activities. Near the origin of rivers, plants like Bahera, Harra, Mango, Bamboo, Neem, Bael, etc. are capable of conserving and strengthening water sources, hence priority should be given to planting such plants”. He said. Former minister and MLA Surendra Patwa also addressed the gathering.