Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that 144 days ‘Namami Devi Narmade’ Seva Yatra will give a message for river conservation to the entire world. It will be a unique campaign to generate awareness among the people towards environment.
Chouhan was addressing the state level organising committee meeting of ‘Namami Devi Narmade’ Seva Yatra-2016 held to finalise the action plan for the Yatra at Administration Academy here today. Ministers Incharge of 16 districts related to the yatra, MPs. MlAs, Commissioners, Collectors were present in the meeting. It may be mentioned that the Narmada Seva Yatra will begin from Amarkantak on December 11.
The Yatra will culminate at Amarkantak on May 11. On the same day a convention of Narmada Seva committees will be held. Chouhan gave final shape to the action plan prepared for the Yatra for its success. Time and date of arrival and beginning of yatra at all the districts have been fixed. This yatra will cover a total distance of 3344 kilometer including 1909 kilometer yatra on foot. Moreover, this yatra will pass through 51 block headquarters and 1104 majras and tolas.
The Chief Minister said that Narmada gives life to the people, hence citizens are responsible to perform their duties. He urged the people to link themselves with this yatra with self inspiration to save Narmada River. He further said that this should be the campaign of all the society. Sants, social Activists, Environmentalists, Non Government Organisations, Religious and Cultural Organisations should link themselves to the yatra to make it a people’s movement.
Chouhan said that Narmada gets water from hills and trees. Hence, plantation will be carried out at wide scale on the banks of Narmada River. Farmers will be encouraged for fruits plantation and economic assistance will be provided continuously for three years till trees bear fruits.
Moreover, Chouhan said that the water treatment plants will be installed to treat sewage water released from the cities and to stop the sewage water released into the river. Deliberation on reasons over increase in pollution in the villages situated on the banks of Narmada will also be made. Ghats will be cleaned and new ghats will be constructed. Dialogues will be held with public on subjects of environmental importance during the yatra. Twenty places have been fixed for this.
Furthermore, Chouhan gave directives to form block head quarter and village –panchayat level Narmada Seva Committees at the earliest. He mentioned that these committees formed under the Societies Act will conduct ground activities. Deliberating on sub-yatras, Chouhan said that their structure can be big or small.
He mentioned that special medical arrangements should be made for yatris. Study the yatra route in advance. Only photographs of Narmada Maiyya should be garlanded during the yatra.
There will be total ban on use of plastic and thermacol items. Places will be identified to construct Mukti dhams and tradition to let out corpses in Narmada River should be stopped.
Swami Akhileshwaranand said that Sant community will take part in yatra in large numbers. Members of the committee gave suggestions to make yatra more effective and successful on the occasion.