Transform Namami Gange Abhiyan into a Grassroots Initiative: CM Dr. Yadav

Preparations for the 11-day campaign reviewed through video conference
Departments Gear-up for Campaign Launching on World Environment Day, June 5

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav stated that efforts like river revival, water conservation, and drain cleaning before the rains will achieve significant success with the cooperation of public representatives and the common people. He emphasized to make an all out effort to transform the ‘Namami Gange Abhiyan’ into a people’s campaign for both urban and rural areas of the state. Dr. Yadav reviewed the preparations for the ‘Namami Gange Abhiyan,’ which will run from June 5 to 16, through a video conference at the Samatva Bhavan in the CM’s residence today. Many public representatives and officials from various districts also participated in the video conference.

The Panchayat and Rural Development, Urban Development and Housing, Forest, Horticulture Department, Culture, concerned district administration and voluntary organizations will take part in the campaign. The state government has constituted committees at various levels and has also sent comprehensive instructions to all districts for the thorough implementation of the campaign. For the implementation of the campaign at the district level, a district level committee will work under the chairmanship of the collector. Government departments have intensified efforts for the activities of the campaign.

Plant trees on the banks of rivers in Malwa region

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav emphasized the necessity of both governmental and societal efforts in water conservation, afforestation, and the preservation of vital water reservoirs such as old rivers, ponds, and step-wells. He underscored the priority of planting trees along the banks of endangered rivers prone to erosion during the plantation campaign, which would not only aid in prevention erosion but also ensure water supply for the vegetation. Dr. Yadav urged the Horticulture Department to devise and execute a comprehensive action plan for this initiative on a large scale. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of water conservation in the Malwa region of the state to mitigate river erosion caused by soil excess. Acknowledging the diverse nature of work in different areas, he emphasized the need for tailored approaches to achieve success in these endeavors.

Step-wells are our heritage

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that ancient Bawdis (step-wells) are our heritage. Bawdis are not only a source of drinking water but also a relief for citizens from scorching heat in summers. The coolness of the water in Bawdis made the citizens feel as if they were sitting in Jal Mahal. Dr. Yadav stressed the importance of preserving and enhancing these Bawdis across various regions of the state as part of the campaign, emphasizing their cleanliness and modernization. Additionally, he commended individuals who undertake the construction of river ghats at a personal level, urging respect for their contributions. Dr. Yadav recounted the altruistic gesture of a local woman who, out of her love for the environment, generously funded the construction of a ghat along the Kshipra river, enhancing public convenience in her village.

The event should be held on Ganga Dashami

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the campaign should be concluded with cultural programmes, Bhagwat Katha and Bhajan Sandhya, this programme should be held on the banks of water sources. Organisations like NCC and NSS should also join the campaign. There should be an atmosphere of enthusiasm from World Environment Day on June 5 to the last date of the campaign. The premises of the temples should be kept clean. Painting work should also be done in the temples. Those associating with the campaign should be honoured to motivate and encourage them.

State-level Preparations for the campaign

In the meeting, Chief Secretary Smt. Veera Rana informed that preparations have been reviewed by continuously organising meetings at the state government level for ‘Namami Gange Abhiyan’. Many departments will actively participate in the activities of the campaign. Information about the responsibilities determined department-wise has also been compiled. Additional Chief Secretary, Panchayat and Rural Development Shri Malay Kumar Srivastava informed that many works are being carried out for the conservation and revival of water sources in MNREGA. 33 thousand 901 renovation works have been done in the Pushkar Dharohar Abhiyan in the state. Similarly, more than 15 lakh works of water conservation and promotion have been completed so far. More than 2 lakh such works are in progress. The use of GIS technology has also been started in the selection and upgradation of water structures. Watershed area, topo-sheet, Bhuvan app and geo portal will be used for survey of water structures. Soil and silt etc. extracted from water structures can be used in the fields. Green areas and parks will be developed by creating buffer zones. Throwing garbage on the banks of water structures will be prohibited.

At least one work will start in every panchayat on the first day of Namami Gange Abhiyan. On the closing day, instructions have been given to clean the places of archaeological, historical and religious importance and river ghats. Head of Urban Development and Housing Department, Shri Neeraj Mandloi said that on the basis of GIS survey, survey work of 1054 water reservoirs has been done in 331 out of 413 bodies of the state. Work is going on in the remaining 82 bodies. 49 projects of lake and pond conservation have been approved in the state, out of which 26 have been completed. The works include embankment construction, stone pitching, ghat construction and silt removal. 351 schemes have been approved in AMRUT 2.0 scheme. 153 projects have also been approved in Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0.

In the campaign, works like removing encroachments on water structures, conducting water audit of water structures and checking the quality of water will be undertaken. Arrangement of green nets to protect people from heat at public places, drinking water facilities at public places, sprinkling of water through sprinklers to reduce the temperature of the atmosphere and cleaning and repair of rain water harvesting structures in buildings before monsoon will be done. Public awareness campaign is also being conducted.

Principal Secretary of Culture Department, Shri Sheoshekhar Shukla told in the meeting that after satellite mapping of 212 rivers of the state, documentary books will be published in the context of ancient literary tradition, folk tales. Programmes of public interest will be organised. Veer Bharat Trust and Madhya Pradesh Science and Technology Council will also be partners. Festivals to offer Chunari and jewellery to Kshipra river will also be organised. Culture Department will also prepare audio-video CD. Under the campaign, musical presentation, Doli Bua, Harikatha will also be presented on the banks of Kshipra on 15th and 16th June.

It was told in the meeting that the Forest Department will plant about five and a half crore saplings in the year 2024-25. Sufficient saplings will be made available in the nurseries of the Forest and Horticulture Department and private nurseries for plantation. There is a preparation to make this work a massive public movement. In the meeting, information was also given about the preparations being made to plant 51 lakh saplings in Indore, 11 lakh saplings in Jabalpur in a single day and adding activities to the campaign focusing on the Nal-Jal Yojana in Gwalior and Chambal divisions and identifying old water structures and making them useful.