Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that Narmada Seva Yatra has been started with the resolution to make Narmada River clean and incessant. All the citizens should participate in this major campaign of river conservation.
Chouhan was addressing the Jan-Sanvad programme at village Nehlai of Sehore district in ‘Namami Devi Narmade’ Seva Yatra on Wednesday. He administered pledge to the villagers to plant fruit bearing trees on the banks of river Narmada, to make Beti Bachao abhiyan successful, to educate children, not to dispose of old material in river, not to immerse idols in rivers, not to perform last funeral rites on Narmada banks and not to dispose of polythene and other material which causes pollution beside not to perform deepdaan with plastic lamps.
Chouhan announced a cash reward of Rs 5,000 each to two girl students Sonam Yadav and Ruchi Gour who recited poems focusing achievements of the state government. He also distributed prizes to the winners of bhajan competitions organized during the seva yatra. Besides, Chouhan administered pledge to the villagers towards water conservation and de-addiction.
Chouhan mentioned that we all should take resolution towards conservation of all rivers and ponds. He said that he was grieved to see very less water in Narmada river during his visit to Dindori district last year. Immediately after that he took a resolution to link people with river conservation campaign organizing Narmada Seva Yatra, which is being fulfilled today.
He mentioned that Narmada River is a lifeline, on one hand electricity is being generated on the other prosperity is coming in the lives of farmers through irrigation of agriculture fields by Narmada water. Chouhan said that this yatra does not belong to any particular religion or party and it has become a large public movement now.
The Chief Minister planting a mango sapling on the bank of river Narmada, appealed to the villagers to plant saplings around their houses and make arrangements for their protection. He informed that plantation will be carried out in one km width on Narmada banks to make Narmada flow incessant.
People of Muslim community came from surrounding villages in large numbers led by Abdul Razzaq Khan showered flowers to welcome yatra in village Nehlai.