Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that 8 crore saplings will be planted in the districts located in the Narmada catchment area in a single day on July 2. He urged the Narma Seva Samitis and citizens to come forward to achieve this target and to commit themselves for planting saplings and their protection. Public present in large number in the programme expressed their commitment towards the resolution loudly in the programme.
Chouhan was addressing the grand programme held on the occasion of first anniversary of Narmada Seva Yatra at Bhedaghat in Jabalpur today. He mentioned that the Narmada Seva Yatra was begun with the resolution last year and the Narmada Seva Committees formed in the villages besides common citizens contributed with full devotion during the yatra. He stated that the state government is committed to take concrete steps for preventing release of sewage water into Narmada River. Sewage treatment plants will be established in the cities located on the banks of river Narmada and the clean and pure water will be supplied to agriculture fields and parks.
He further mentioned that an amount of Rs 1400 crore has been approved for establishing treatment plants in other cities located on the banks of river Narmada and the works in this connection will start from the month of March . He mentioned that most of the villages located on both the banks of Narmada River have become open defecation free and the remaining villages will be made open defecation free shortly.
Chouhan further said that 4 thousand muktidhams have been made in 16 districts of Narmada’s banks besides other cities and 8,000 muktidhams will be made next year.
Chouhan called upon the farmers for planting fruit bearing trees in their agriculture fields. A target to plant fruit bearing trees in 40,000 hectare in this year has been set. Underlining the importance of ponds, Chouhan said that a chain of ponds will be created in the entire catchment area of Narmada River. Six Hundred ponds will be constructed. Chief Minister Chouhan expressed hope from the farmers that they will initiate action to stop water by constructing boundaries at their agriculture fields. He said that cultivation of selected crops repeatedly is harmful for agriculture. Change in crops from time to time will prove more beneficial for the farmers. Encouraging farmers for organic farming, horticulture and animal husbandry, he said that the government will take necessary steps to encourage farmers in this connection.