MP CM calls for conservation of rivers on lines of Thames

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today appealed to people across the globe to come forward to save rivers and cited example of Thames river, which, he said was converted into the cleanest water body in world by people of London.
"People of London have come forward to conserve Thames and they have made it the world's cleanest river. Narmada is the least polluted river in India and we will not allow it to get polluted further. We will not rest till it becomes purest. World over people should come forward to conserve rivers," Chouhan wrote in a blog on the occasion of Narmada Jayanti today.

The CM stated he would write to United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres requesting him to launch a drive under the auspices of the agency to make people aware on the issue of conserving rivers.
As a mark of respect to Narmada, considered sacred by people, the state government has organised its cabinet meeting at picturesque Hanuwantia Island, created on the backwaters of the river.
The CM observed all ancient civilisations in world are developed on the banks of rivers and Narmada too is no exception.
"The holy river has played a major role in enriching the land around it. It is considered as a lifeline of Madhya Pradesh and figures among seven major rivers of the country," according to Chouhan.

Referring to his ongoing "Namami Devi Narmade-Narmada Sewa Yatra," the CM stated, "It will abreast people with historic, social, cultural, religious and economic aspects of the river. The main aim of this journey is to give message to the people world over to keep rivers, including Narmada, pollution free."

On Hanuwantia Island, he mentioned, "Today, international-level tourist spot like Hanuwantia got developed because of the river which will give the state a new identity."
Chouhan further stated "Because of wishes of 'Maa Narmada', the state is continuously progressing on the path of development. The river provides drinking water to over four crore people and irrigation facility in 17-lakh hectares of land. Because of the river's blessings our food grain storage facility is full and darkness is away from houses as they are illuminated with power."

Hailing the yatra, Chouhan expressed satisfaction over
celebrities like spiritual guru and Nobel-laureates Dalai Lama, Kailash Satyarthi and East Timor's Jose Ramos Horta, megastar Amitabh Bachchan and melody queen Lata Mangeshkar, extending their support, among others.
Highlighting the steps taken for the conservation of Narmada, the CM said his government has allocated Rs 1500 crore for setting up the sewage treatment plants in 15 towns on banks of the river.
He said all the towns and villages on the banks of the river would be made open defecation-free and plantation activity would be ramped up to improve water retention capacity in these areas.

He state the government has also decided to shift all liquor shops located within five kilometres of Narmada's banks as part of the measures.
'Namami Devi Narmade - Sewa Yatra' was started on December 11 last year from Amarkantak, the place of river Narmada's origin.
It will cover 1831 km on southern banks comprising 548 villages/towns and 1513 km on northern banks comprising 556 village/towns, cumulatively covering 3344 km in 144 days.
About half of this yatra would be covered on foot. The awareness campaign will be completed on May 11 this year.