Narmada’s
son in Parliament
An initiative by Anil Madhav Dave, MP |
MP Anil
Madhav Dave waving to the local residents,
and assuring with a smile to come back for
environmental concerns relating to Narmada
Narmada
is one of the holiest rivers in India.
This is where saints and sadhus have achieved
religious reckoning and spiritual powers
Amarkantak
the origin of the river Narmada
has many temples and is a place of worship
for various Gods and celestial beings
MP Anil
Madhav Dave and his fellow travelers
welcomed by the local residents
|
Its
often rare to find a mix of political activism and environmental
concerns. This edition we present an initiative of Parliamentarian
Anil Madhav Dave who has put together an organisation called
the Narmada Samagra that works for a healthy catchment area
of the river Narmada. Its main slogan is to increase the quantity
of water and reduce the pollution in the river that is revered
in the region as Maa Narmada. River Narmada, the lifeline
of central India, thus, is a single entity from Amarkantak,
its place of origin, to Bharuch, where it meets the sea, Dave
and his friends who work for Narmada Samagra believes.
Before the work started in an organized manner under the banner
of Narmada Samagra, Anil Madhav Dave rafted through the Narmada
river, which is 1,312 kms long. During the course of the travel,
chaupals (an interactive public discussion) were held at 46
places along the river bank. The interaction with people gave
Dave and his team an insight into the varied problems faced
by the river, its surrounding habitats and also by the people
dependent on the Narmada.
Narmada
Samagra’s work is spread both in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.
It works at two levels: activities at the ground level and
increasing awareness through various forums. As many as 72
ghats (stepped embankments) across the entire length of the
river witness regular cleaning activity by not just volunteers
but also involvement of the local community. People
are encouraged to participate in the Paryavaran Panchakosi
Yatras (small treks along the river bank) during winter months
for bringing them close to the river and also for spreading
environmental awareness amidst residents of the villages en
route.
Narmada
is the only river in the world, where people undertake a parikrama
(pilgrimage by way of circumambulation on foot). The Narmada
Samagra, therefore, is working for assisting in as many possible
ways the pilgrims’ journey smooth. However, ‘International
River Festival’, a biennial event remains the hallmark event
for spreading environmental awareness. The 2010 episode, the
second such event and the only of its kind festival in Asia,
saw representation of 28 rivers from across the globe through
700-odd participants, including those from USA, Germany, Australia
and Nepal.
The focus of the Narmada Samagra team with its 72 units from
Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat now is committed to work for converting
the catchment area of the river into an organic belt. |