Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that collective resolution would be adopted during the Narmada Seva Yatra to make Narmada river pollution- free. Plantations on both the banks of the river, works to stop release of sewage into the river, stopping open-defecation beside construction of poojan kund and ghats will be carried out with the public consent.
Chouhan was talking to mediapersons at his residence on Wednesday. He also released a CD of songs focusing Maa Narmada on the occasion.
He said that Narmada Seva Yatra-2016 will begin from Amarkantak on December 11. The yatra will culminate at Amarkantak moving through both the North and South banks of Narmada on May 11, 2017. A distance of over 1900 km will be covered on foot during the yatra. The yatra will be carried out through vehicles only at solitary places.
Chouhan said that social initiative for river conservation is always effective and useful. With this objective the Narmada Seva yatra is being organised. Representatives of all the sections of the society will participate during the yatra at different places and time. Swami Avdheshanand, CM of Gujarat Vijay Rupani, RSS leader Bhaiyya Ji Joshi, Magsaysay award winner Rajendra Singh and local sants of Amarkantak will take part in the inaugural programme.
He mentioned that an action plan is ready to use every drop of Narmada water till 2024. Keeping in view the need for plantation for continuous availability of water in Narmada, efforts to make Narmada pollution-free with the consent of public is the foundation of the campaign instead of legal provisions. The farmers will be administered a pledge for fruits plantation on both the banks of the river in the area of one kilometre. The farmers will be encouraged for fruits plantation to ensure their livelihood does not get affected.
An outline has been drawn by the experts to plant which tree and at what time. An economic assistance at the rate of `20,000 per hectare will be provided to the farmers till trees bear fruits. Commitment letters will get filled during the yatra. Chouhan clarified that this is a social movement for conservation of Narmada river. The State Government will play the role of a partner in this. Also sub-yatras will be taken out in the nearby places for environmental awareness. Chouhan further informed that he will also participate in the yatra once in a week during the yatra period.