8 Crore Saplings to be Planted in Narmada Catchment Area on July 2: CM Chouhan

Bhopal: 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. Chouhan 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 thousand muktidhams will be made next year.

Fruit Bearing Trees in 40,000 Hectare Area this Year

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh 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.

De-Addiction Campaign to be Conducted on Narmada’s Banks

Moreover, Chouhan said that amendments have been made by the government in sand mining policy. Now sand mines will not be auctioned. Rights related to sand mining have been handed over to the Panchayats. Royalty has also been decreased. System to excavate sand legally from the fixed mines will be made online shortly. Steps have also been taken to close liquor shops located on the banks of River Narmada. De-addiction campaign will be launched on both the banks of Narmada river. Shri Chouhan further stated that it is must for the society to come forward for the success of de-addiction campaign. He said that several different programmes will be organized on the banks of Narmada River on the occasion of Narmada Jayanti from January 20 to 27. We all have to participate with enthusiasm to make the banks clean, beautification of ghats and plantation.

Furthermore, Chouhan said that the target of Narmada Seva Yatra has not been achieved entirely. Constant efforts are needed and to be continued for achieving the basic objectives. Public present in the progarmme took resolution for every possible effort towards conservation of narmada River, plantation, water cleanliness, prevention of pollution beside organic farming and horticulture. At the outset, CM Chouhan along with his wife Smt. Sadhna Singh performed Jalabhishek of Maa Naramda at Dhuwadhar. Thereafter CM Chouhan holding Dhwaj and his wife Smt. Sadhan Singh holding kalash reached the programme site.

Citation Letters Presented to Farmers and Sarpanchs

The Chief Minister Chouhan honoured the farmers who have adopted advance agriculture techniques and made innovations in farming beside sarpanchas who became instrumental to make the panchayats open defecation free by presenting them citation letters. Chief Minister Chouhan inaugurated the work for construction of new pond costing Rs. 2 crore in village Gadheri near Dumna natural Park of Jabalpur.

Minister District In-Charge Dr. Gourishankar Shejwar, MP Prahalad Patel, Chairman M.P. Goupalan evam Pashupalan Samvardhan Board Mahamandaleshwar Swami Akhileshwaranand, State Coordinator Narmada Seva Yatra Dr. Jitendra Jamdar, Sadhvi Pragya Bharti, Mayor Dr. Swati Godbole, President Jila Panchayat Smt. Manorama Patel, MLAs Anchal Sonkar, Smt. Pratibha Singh, Smt. Nandini Marawi, Vinod Gontiya, Chairman M.P. Mineral Development Corporation Shiv Choubey, Vice Chairman M.P. backward Class and Minority Finance Development Corporation S.K. Mouiuddin, Chairman Mahakoushal Development Authority Prabhat Sahu, Vice President Jan Abhiyan Parishad Pradeep Pandey, President Bhedaghat Nagar Parishad Smt. Shaila Jain, President Shehpura Mandi Neeraj Singh and Religious heads of various religions were present in the programme.-Windowtonews