Forests, water, River and development are interlinked

Bhopal: This effort for informing people of Bhopal about utilisation of forests, water and Narmada and its constant stream maintain cleanliness by bio diversity board is laudable. Forests minister Dr Gaurishankar Shejwar said this while inaugurating essay and painting contest, rally held under overall governance concept in the surroundings of 'Jal-Van-Narmada-Bhopal' at TT Nagar stadium.

 Forests Minister flagged off the rally. Students of schools, colleges, voluntary organisations, officers and employees of different government departments and common people participated in the rally. Additional Chief Secretary, Forests, Deepak Khandekar, Forests Force Chief Animesh Shukla, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (wildlife)  Jitendra Agrawal and Managing Director of Forests Development Corporation Ravi Shrivastava were present.

 Dr Shejwar said that India has tradition to express gratitude towards benefactors that's why we worship mother-father, the sun, animal and river. Today, the yatra being taken out for making Narmada water full of streams and clean has become public movement. This is multidimensional and result oriented Yatra. Plantation on both the sides in stretch of one km will conserve water. Villages on the banks are being made open defecation free. Sewage treatment plants will be set up in two years at all places.  Forests Minister said that the yatra made people aware. There is shortage seen in disposing off pujan material in the river by people. Mukti-Dham for preventing disposal of dead bodies and Sevakund for Asthi-Visrjan are being constructed. Dr Shejwar appealed people to plant more and more saplings for saving water and maintaining its cleanliness.

 Member Secretary, Bio Diversity Board R Shriniwas Murthi said that urban population has increased rapidly and it is expected to reach 70 percent by 2030. The rally was organised to create awareness regarding use of water and water management. The campaign aims at connecting society and the governance for maintaining flow of Narmada.-WTN