The Global Interfaith WASH Alliance (GIWA) and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (JUH) and the Jamiat Youth Club organised a three day Aman Ekta Hariyali Yatra, starting on Sunday, in an effort to combat the devastating effects that deforestation is having on the planet.
As evidenced by India’s increasing water crisis and dwindling forest cover it is estimated that over one trillion trees need to be planted to reverse climate change. Led by Parmarth Niketan chief, Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Jamiat Ulema-i- Hind secretary general Maulana Mahmood Madani over 1,000 madrasas, temples, mosques, schools, stations, hospitals and other public places will be covered in the Yatra.
Chidanand Saraswati said, “Haryali – which means greenery and prosperity is when the followers of Hari (Hindus) and the followers of Ali (Muslims) come together to make the world a cleaner and greener place for all. The next war will be over water and the growing water crisis is becoming a reality of our times. Therefore it is crucially important for us to work together across all faiths building bridges and breaking barriers through our collective efforts to make a cleaner and greener world for all.” Maulana Mahmood Madani said, “In cities like Chennai water scarcity has created a massive call for action. Together with Chidanan Saraswati and GIWA, Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind is committed to climate action, interfaith harmony and serving towards a clean and healthy India for all. This yatra is the beginning of our journey together but each one must play their part to be the change they want to see in the world.” After tree plantation at Rishikesh Railway Station the faith leaders met Acharya Balkrishna in Kankhal, Haridwar who pledged to donate 50,000 neem trees for the next season.
Thereafter the yatra stopped in Darul Uloom Rasheediya, Subhash Nagar, Jwalapur where Speaker of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly Prem Chand Agarwal and Mahant Ravindra Puri, Nirvani Akhara and others united to plant trees of hope and healing with children from the locals. At Margubpur, Chidanand Saraswati addressed to hundreds of followers on the crucial need to protect and preserve water and the significance of mass tree plantation.
Everyone was deeply inspired to care for the plants and to plant as many trees as the number of children studying at the Madrasa. The Yatra which includes visits to temples, mosques, madrasas, schools, stations, hospitals and other public places will culminate in Delhi in Gandhi Ashram on August 27. Cities such as Rishikesh, Haridwar, Saharanpur, Muzzafarnagar, Deoband, Shamli will be covered in the Yatra.