Narmada is the lifeline of Madhya Pradesh: CM

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that Narmada river is the lifeline of Madhya Pradesh. Not only Madhya Pradesh, but Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan are also dependent on Narmada river to a great extent for prosperity. Narmada river is the center of our faith and reverence. It provides water for irrigation, drinking purpose, electricity etc. to Madhya Pradesh. Narmada hai to Madhya Pradesh hai.

Chouhan said that the flow of Narmada should remain incessant and give us life for which, Madhya Pradesh government has undertaken many works by forming the Narmada Seva Mission. This will continue in future also.

A review of the works being done for the Narmada revival programme was held in Amarkantak today under the chairmanship of Chouhan. Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupendra Yadav, Union Minister of State for Water Power Prahlad Singh Patel, Madhya Pradesh Forest Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah, Tribal Affairs, Scheduled Caste Welfare and Anuppur district in-charge Minister Meena Singh Mandve, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Minister Bisahulal Singh and administrative officers were present.

The Chief Minister said that just as Ganga is a name to reckon with in the country, Narmada is popular in Madhya Pradesh. Amarkantak is not an ordinary place. It is a land of sages and ascetics. The Chief Minister said that Narmada Seva Yatra would be started for the protection and promotion of the Narmada river. Under the plan made during the Narmada Seva Yatra, large-scale campaign of fruit cultivation, tree plantation was initiated. The society too has played an important role in this campaign along with the 16 departments.

Chouhan said that it is a fortunate day for Madhya Pradesh, as Union Forest and Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav and Union Minister of State for Water Power Prahlad Singh Patel have come to Amarkantak so that the Narmada continues to flow incessantly and Madhya Pradesh and other states continue to be blessed by the grace of Narmada.

Chief Minister Chouhan said that a road map would be prepared for the conservation and promotion of Narmada river. On May 1, people associated with Narmada Seva Abhiyan will launch a public awareness campaign. On June 5, Environment Day, a pledge will be taken to plant different species of saplings at different places. The saplings to be planted here will in line with the ecosystem here.

Chouhan said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a call to build Amrit Sarovar in the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. It is necessary to plant trees and make water structures for the conservation and promotion of river Narmada. Water structures forming the Amrit Sarovar should be located on the banks of Narmada. The Chief Minister said that Amrit Sarovar would also be constructed on the banks of 41 tributaries of Narmada, so that its flow could spread further. Along with this, water should flow into the Narmada river from everywhere. He said that tree plantation would be done on a large scale in Amarkantak region on Hariyali Amavasya festival.

Union Forest and Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav said that discussions have been held at Amarkantak, the origin of Narmada for the conservation and promotion of Narmada river. He said that river Narmada is the cornerstone of cultural, spiritual and social life of Madhya Pradesh along with other states. He said that conservation and promotion of Narmada would lead to development of rural and urban areas.

Union Minister Shri Yadav said that Narmada river is an important river of the country, which needs a better action plan to save it. He said that I am happy that the development work of Narmada service area which was started in 2018 is being discussed in detail to expand it further. He said that Amarkantak has been the abode of our ancestors religiously, traditionally, culturally and spiritually since time immemorial. He said that Amarkantak has been the abode of our ancestors religiously, traditionally, culturally and spiritually since time immemorial. It is the duty of all of us to preserve and enhance the waters of the Narmada river originating from here. To keep Narmada safe, an action plan will be prepared keeping all the aspects in view. Union Minister of State for Water Power, Shri Prahlad Patel, M.P. Forest Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah, Environment Minister Suresh Soni also gave suggestions for conservation and promotion of Narmada.